Alina Charaeva, ranked No. 118, achieved a stunning victory over world No. 1 Elena Rybakina at the China Open in Beijing on Saturday, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 after coming back from a set down. This marks the first defeat for Rybakina in her debut match as a top-ranked player, and she joins Naomi Osaka as only the second player to lose her first match at that ranking.
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Rybakina, the reigning US Open champion, initially appeared to be in control, taking the first set and leading 2-1 in the second. However, she faced difficulties, losing her serve three times—twice in the second set and once in the third at 3-2. Charaeva capitalized on these errors to secure her place in the last 32 of the tournament.
This match is notable as it marks the lowest-ranked player to defeat a world No. 1 since WTA rankings began in 1975. Charaeva had previously won against Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva in the first round.
Next, Charaeva will compete against Britain's Sonay Kartal.