WTA 1000 China Open Features Top Players and Potential Quarterfinals

Elena Rybakina, the current World No. 1, is the top seed, followed by Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva, each leading a quarter of the draw.

Gauff, the 2024 champion, joins Iga Swiatek (2023) and Naomi Osaka (2019) as former Beijing winners in the field.

Qualifying rounds will conclude on Tuesday, September 29, with first-round matchups finalized thereafter.

In the first quarter, a notable first-round match to watch is Zheng Qinwen versus a yet-to-be-determined qualifier. Zheng will aim to build on her US Open quarterfinal success after an intense training regimen.

Potential quarterfinals include Rybakina against Belinda Bencic, who seeks to rebound from a first-round exit at the US Open. Rybakina, fresh off her championship in New York, has a slight 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head encounters.

The second quarter features a rematch between Paula Badosa and Daria Kasatkina, a repeat of their memorable US Open encounter where Badosa triumphed after saving nine match points. A quarterfinal clash between Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek could occur, marking the 17th chapter of their rivalry. Swiatek leads 11-5, though Gauff won their last match in 2026.

In the third quarter, Elena-Gabriela Ruse faces Lilli Tagger. The winner will encounter Linda Noskova, who reached the quarterfinals at the US Open. A potential quarterfinal matchup between Mirra Andreeva and Noskova is also anticipated, with Andreeva having a 4-2 historical edge in their meetings.

The fourth quarter features Maya Joint against Sinja Kraus. Joint aims for a strong finish after a recent final appearance in Seoul, while Kraus comes off a semifinal run at the Porto 125. If Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka meet in the quarters, it would be their fifth encounter of the year, with Sabalenka leading 3-2 overall. Osaka won their most recent match at Wimbledon.