WTA China Open Women’s Singles: Zhang Shuai, though defeated, earns respect; falls to Anisimova, missing out on the round of 16

On September 28, 2025, Beijing time, the China Open tennis tournament featured the men’s singles second round and women’s singles third round matches. Chinese star Zhang Shuai, competing with a wildcard, played the final match on the Diamond Court but was defeated 6-7(11)/0-6 by the third seed and this year’s Wimbledon and US Open runner-up, Anisimova, ending her run in the women’s singles round of 32.

Zhang Shuai

Anisimova

Zhang Shuai broke serve early in the first set to take a 2-0 lead. The score then went back and forth until Zhang was broken in her service game to close the set, allowing Anisimova to level and push the set to a tiebreak. Zhang trailed 2-6 in the tiebreak but saved six set points, though she missed three opportunities to close it out, ultimately losing 6-7(11) after a first set lasting over an hour. After the intense battle, Zhang’s performance noticeably declined in the second set, with Anisimova capitalizing to win six consecutive games and seal the match 6-0.

Muskova

Anisimova’s opponent in the fourth round will be Czech star and 13th seed Muskova, who advanced after her opponent Badosa retired due to injury while trailing 2-4 in the first set.

Gauff

Bencic

Defending champion and second seed Gauff narrowly defeated 25th seed Fernandez 6-4/4-6/7-5, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record against the Canadian this year and extending her winning streak at the China Open to eight matches. This victory also marked her 150th WTA hardcourt win, making her the youngest woman since Wozniacki in 2011 to reach this milestone. Gauff will face 15th seed Bencic in the fourth round, who came from behind to beat qualifier Han Tianyu 4-6/6-4/6-3.

Gauff attending the post-match press conference

At the press conference, Gauff praised the Chinese fans’ support: “I think Chinese fans are probably the friendliest in the world. After the China Open, I will share all the creative gifts they gave me on social media. Their creativity is really incredible, almost crazy. Every gift I receive, I know a lot of effort has gone into making it.”

LIS

Kessler

Eighth seed Leylah Fernandez and two-time Grand Slam champion Krejcikova both suffered surprising defeats. German player Lis upset Leylah Fernandez 6-3/1-6/6-4, earning her first career win over a top 10 player and reaching the WTA 1000 round of 16 for the first time. She will face American Kessler in the fourth round, while Krejcikova retired due to injury when trailing 6-1/5-7/0-3 against Kessler.

Paolini

Buzkova

Sixth seed Paolini showed excellent form, sweeping 27th seed Kenin 6-3/6-0 to claim her first win in four meetings between them and advance to the round of 16. She will meet Czech player Buzkova, who defeated 24th seed Kudermetova 6-3/7-5.