Wang Xinyu (R) of China and her compatriot Zhang Shuai greet each other after the women's singles second round match at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai upset compatriot Wang Xinyu in a highly anticipated all-Chinese night clash, as home hopes in the men's singles were dashed with both Bu Yunchaokete and Shang Juncheng falling in the first round of the China Open on Friday.
Zhang, 36, prevailed 6-4, 6-2 on the Diamond Court to claim her first win over Wang in four meetings. Ranked outside the top 100 and competing on a wildcard, Zhang played the steadier tennis in the key moments. Both players faced seven break points, but Zhang saved five while Wang managed only two.
"In the past I had never beaten her, so today I just wanted to enjoy myself," Zhang said. "Here in Beijing I always feel comfortable. The conditions and my own tactics matched up very well." She added that at this stage of her career, "I only want to enjoy tennis. Whether I win or lose, I want to learn from it."
Wang, the 24-year-old 31st seed, admitted she struggled to handle Zhang's pressure. "She put me under a lot of pressure, especially on return," Wang said. "I tried to play my game, but most of the time she was stronger. Still, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the support from the fans."
Last year Zhang ended a 24-match losing streak with a run to the Beijing quarterfinals, reviving her career. Once again underestimated, she has battled through to the third round, where she will meet world No. 4 Amanda Anisimova of the United States.
Anisimova, the third seed, has been in fine form in the second half of the year, reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and eased past Britain's Katie Boulter 6-3, 6-1 earlier in the day.
In men's action, China's top-ranked player Bu Yunchaokete was beaten 6-4, 6-0 by third seed Alex de Minaur of Australia on the Diamond Court. De Minaur struck 10 aces, faced only one break point which he saved, and swept the final six games to seal victory.
"I knew I had to bring it from the very first point and ultimately the goal is to just keep on bringing the energy," said the world No. 8, who has his sights set on qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin. "The goal is to finish the year strong."
Bu, who reached the semifinals in Beijing last year, was candid about his disappointment. "I didn't feel any physical discomfort, but after losing the first game of the second set my emotions got unstable," he said. "I couldn't find the right way to adjust, and that led to a big drop in my level."
The other Chinese male player, 18-year-old Shang Juncheng, also exited, falling 0-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 to France's Arthur Cazaux despite winning the opening set emphatically and leading by a break in the second.
Among the headliners, world No. 3 Gauff launched her title defense with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia. After a tight opening set, the 21-year-old French Open champion pulled away to complete the win in one hour and 42 minutes.
"I expected it to be close," said Gauff. "She's a great player and has had competitive results with top players in the last few tournaments. I was a little tight at the beginning, but I was able to loosen up and get in a flow." The American will next face Canada's Leylah Fernandez, who swept Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-0.
Sixth seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy, a finalist at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2024, eased past Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 6-3. Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and eighth seed, overcame American Caty McNally 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Rybakina, a four-time WTA 1000 winner, will next seek to extend her strong hard-court record.
In the last match on Diamond court in the evening, world No. 5 Zverev powered past Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-3. The second seed from Germany, a two-time Olympic medalist, controlled the baseline exchanges to book his place in the last 16.
Earlier on the same court, eighth-seed Daniil Medvedev also progressed, dispatching Britain's Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4. The 2021 US Open champion, who has won 20 ATP titles, was sharp on serve and broke once in each set to secure a routine win.
Elsewhere, Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, the Olympic bronze medalist in Paris, survived a three-set battle with France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, winning 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4.
Looking ahead to Saturday, home fans will turn their attention to the Paris Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. The seventh seed, who received a first-round bye, is set to kick off her China Open campaign on the Diamond Court night session against Colombia's Emiliana Arango. ■
Bu Yunchaokete returns a shot during the men's singles first round match between Bu Yunchaokete of China and Alex De Minaur of Australia at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Bu Yunchaokete waves to spectators after the men's singles first round match between Bu Yunchaokete of China and Alex De Minaur of Australia at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Bu Yunchaokete (L) and Alex De Minaur (R) pose with guest Jackson Yee (Yi Yangqianxi) before the men's singles first round match between Bu Yunchaokete of China and Alex De Minaur of Australia at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Bu Yunchaokete returns a shot during the men's singles first round match between Bu Yunchaokete of China and Alex De Minaur of Australia at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Bu Yunchaokete celebrates scoring during the men's singles first round match between Bu Yunchaokete of China and Alex De Minaur of Australia at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Alex De Minaur celebrates winning the men's singles first round match between Bu Yunchaokete of China and Alex De Minaur of Australia at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Bu Yunchaokete returns a shot during the men's singles first round match between Bu Yunchaokete of China and Alex De Minaur of Australia at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Lorenzo Sonego serves during the men's singles first round match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles first round match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Lorenzo Sonego hits a return during the men's singles first round match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Alexander Zverev reacts during the men's singles first round match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Alexander Zverev hits a return during the men's singles first round match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Alexander Zverev serves during the men's singles first round match between Alexander Zverev of Germany and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Wang Xinyu hits a return during the women's singles second round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Wang Xinyu of China at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Zhang Shuai waves to spectators after the women's singles second round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Wang Xinyu of China at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Zhang Shuai hits a return during the women's singles second round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Wang Xinyu of China at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Wang Xinyu hits a return during the women's singles second round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Wang Xinyu of China at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Wang Xinyu hits a return during the women's singles second round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Wang Xinyu of China at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Wang Xinyu serves during the women's singles second round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Wang Xinyu of China at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
Zhang Shuai hits a return during the women's singles second round match between Zhang Shuai of China and Wang Xinyu of China at 2025 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ma Zihan/Xinhua)
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