Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese woman to win the China Open by beating Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in Beijing.
Zheng, who entered the tournament as a wildcard ranked number 54 in the world, saved three set points in Sunday’s opening set before overcoming fourth seed Andreeva 7-5, 6-4.
The 24-year-old fell to the floor as she secured match point and treated the raucous home crowd to some karaoke following her victory speech.
“The feeling was incredible. To win here in Beijing in front of my home crowd is one of my dreams,” she said.
“I’ve been through a very, very tough year.”
For Zheng, who underwent elbow surgery last year, it was a first WTA 1000 title and her sixth title over all. The triumph brings an end to a two-year title drought for a player who has struggled with form and fitness in the past 12 months.
Andreeva, 19, was on top in the early stages of both sets, but was reeled back in both times.
The Russian led 2-0 in both sets and 5-4 in the first before Zheng defended three set points and won the remaining 11 points to win the opener 7-5.
Andreeva continued to make mistakes in a second set that was finely poised at 4-4 before Zheng took control.
The crowd was passionate ,although disruptive, at times between points and a late double fault from Zheng in the final exchanges briefly threatened to derail a special occasion for Chinese tennis.
But there was to be no late collapse and Zheng sealed the win with an ace.
“I felt like I just forgot how to compete after coming back from injury,” she told reporters.
“Finally, after so many losses, I [found] my fire again,” she said.
The win is her 14th win over a top-10 opponent and her third this season.
Despite the loss, Andreeva is expected to rise to number three in the world when the rankings are updated on Monday.
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