By tf-lawyer.com On October 6th, the 2024 China Open concluded in Beijing, marking a milestone not only with record ticket sales and viewership but also with impressive performances from Chinese players.
This year’s tournament saw the highest number of Chinese athletes competing in singles events. Leading the charge in women’s singles was Zheng Qinwen, joined by 14 fellow Chinese players. The men’s lineup featured Zhang Zhizhen, Shang Juncheng, Bu Yunchaokete, and Zhou Yi.
Chinese women tennis players particularly shined, showcasing both emerging talent and seasoned experience. Zheng Qinwen’s remarkable journey this season includes reaching her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open earlier this year, becoming the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic singles gold in Paris, and recently making it to the semifinals of the WTA 1000 event at the China Open. The 22-year-old’s steady rise has positioned her just a step away from qualifying for the year-end finals.
In a quarterfinal match on October 4th, Zheng defeated Andreyeva to reach the semifinals for the first time at the China Open, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Another standout is 20-year-old Wei Sijia, who made significant strides this season by qualifying for all four Grand Slam qualifiers. At the China Open, she celebrated her first main draw and first ATP 1000 victory, stating, “This is my first time competing at this level, and winning here means a lot to me. Last year, I didn’t fare well in the qualifiers, and after a year of experience, I finally showed what I can do.”
Veteran Zhang Shuai, at 35, ended a 24-match single’s losing streak and celebrated four consecutive wins, advancing to the quarterfinals of the China Open for the third time in her career. In the second round, she upset world number eight Navarro while ranked 595th, making her the lowest-ranked player in tournament history to defeat a top-10 player. Although she didn’t make it to the semifinals, Zhang’s ranking has improved and she is now on track to qualify for next year’s Australian Open.
Reflecting on her transition from a rising star to a veteran, Zhang emphasized that dreams know no age. The support from home fans has been a driving force in her continued career. “Everyone blooms at their own time. I may not have blossomed early, but I have my own pace,” she shared.
On the men’s side, exceptional breakthroughs were also achieved. Bu Yunchaokete emerged as a significant underdog, reaching the semifinals after a remarkable run. Before the China Open, he had just reached the semifinals of a men’s ATP tour event in Hangzhou, which marked his entry into the world’s top 100 for the first time. At the China Open, he first overcame compatriot Shang Juncheng, and then secured impressive victories over Olympic bronze medalist Musetti and number four seed Rublev, marking his inaugural wins over players in the top 20 and top 10.
Facing Italian star Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, Bu put up a strong fight, only being broken once in the first set and pushing the second set to a tiebreaker. Though he narrowly lost, his performance has raised expectations for his future.
After the tournament, Bu’s world ranking soared to a career-high of 69, ensuring his spot in the main draw for the upcoming Australian Open. His next goal is to break into the top 50.
China’s men’s tennis has seen remarkable growth; just two to three years ago, breaking into the main draw of Grand Slam men’s singles or the world’s top 100 was a formidable challenge. Now, three mainland Chinese players—Zhang Zhizhen, Shang Juncheng, and Bu Yunchaokete—are among the world’s top 100, a milestone that Shang believes fosters competition and motivation among players.
International attention has shifted to the rise of Chinese men’s tennis. Sinner commented, “Chinese tennis has recently produced several promising young players, and there are more Chinese athletes visible in the world’s top 100. I’ve trained with some players from China, and their skill level is impressive.”
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic also praised the discipline and determination of Chinese players, noting that their recent collective breakthroughs are a natural progression. “Chinese women’s tennis has always thrived on the international stage. Now, many players are pushing the boundaries for Chinese men’s tennis, proving that they can achieve great success,” he stated.
The tournament also highlighted the bright potential in youth with the ITF-J300, the highest-level international junior event in the country. Sixteen-year-old Zhang Rui’en and 14-year-old Sun Xinran showcased their talent by defeating several seeded players to reach the final, with Zhang ultimately securing the youth singles championship.
Zheng Qinwen emphasized the global nature of tennis, asserting that Chinese players have the ability to compete at the highest levels. “With more and more players entering the world’s top 100 in both women’s and men’s tennis, it’s a great start. I firmly believe that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with competitors from Europe and America on the future stage,” she concluded.
