Alina Charaeva Advances to Fourth Round at China Open with Notable Upset

In the following round, Charaeva secured her spot in the fourth round of the China Open with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win over Sonay Kartal. She now stands on the brink of reaching her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal but must overcome Chinese wild card Zheng Qinwen in her next match on Wednesday. Charaeva expressed her excitement, stating, "It feels pretty special because it's my first time [in a WTA 1000 fourth round] and actually the first time in Beijing as well. I'm just really happy with my work and how I've managed my emotions and mental part as well."

Charaeva has worked with her coach, Carlos Martinez, for eight years at his CMC Competition academy near Barcelona. She regards him highly, saying, "He's actually like my father," and shared her appreciation for their shared success in reaching significant milestones together.

Despite her recent success, Charaeva has not yet participated in a Grand Slam main draw, having only played in qualifying rounds. Her best performances have seen her reach the third round of qualifying at Wimbledon and the 2025 US Open. If she continues her winning streak in Beijing, she may secure a ranking sufficient for direct entry into the Australian Open, potentially surpassing her career-high of No. 108.

Charaeva's 2023 season has been her best to date, having participated in multiple main draws, including events in Rouen, Madrid, and Cincinnati, and achieving a WTA 125 title in Midland. Her remarkable consistency this season, boosted by minimal injury setbacks, has led her to a 36-23 record.

In making history, Charaeva became the first Armenian player to defeat a World No. 1 since the WTA rankings began in 1975, and she is among the few players to achieve this feat in the top player’s first match holding that ranking.

As she prepares for her next match, Charaeva’s growth and determination showcase her ascent in women's tennis.