The WTA Tour is currently in Asia for the China Open that features some of the top players.
Nearly every top WTA player is competing in Beijing this week, apart from world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who withdrew from the China Open due to a minor injury.
As a result, the top seed at the China Open this year is former champion Iga Swiatek, who claimed she is not thinking about the world number one ranking, despite Sabalenka’s absence.
The defending champion is also in Beijing, but Coco Gauff has claimed she is treating the China Open like a practice tournament.
A lot of the attention will be on the likes of Swiatek and Gauff, but a player ranked outside the top 250 has also made some interesting comments after winning her first round match at the China Open.
Lin Zhu suggests if she is still considering retiring from tennis after China Open win
Lin Zhu has been ranked as high as world number 31, won a WTA title and reached the fourth round of the Australian Open just two years ago.
However, after suffering an elbow injury in 2024, Lin was forced to end her season early and fell to as low as world number 493 earlier this year.
As a result, Zhu, who is now 31 years old, had admitted earlier this year that she did not know how much longer she would continue competing if her ranking did not rise.
Zhu had found some success on the lower-level ITF Tour, but had struggled to rediscover her form on the WTA Tour before enjoying a breakthrough run to the fourth round of the Canadian Open.
This seemed like a turning point for Zhu, but she would then go on a four-match losing streak that would cast more doubt over her future.
However, after Zhu, who is now the world number 253, reached another ITF final and won her first round match at the China Open against Moyuka Uchijima, it appears that she is not ready to say goodbye to tennis just yet.
“It feels closer to the Australian Open. I hope that I have more work in 2026,” Zhu said in her post-match press conference after beating Uchijima, 6-1 6-3.
“I’m so happy at this stage. It’s not something I have to accomplish. I just play along to see how long I can play in my career. I’ll just wait for time to make the decision.”
After winning her first round match at her home WTA 1000 tournament, Zhu is now the world number 223 in the live rankings, which would likely be enough to secure her entry into Australian Open qualifying next year.
Lin Zhu reveals what she hopes the China Open does for her match against Mirra Andreeva
Zhu will now face a real step up in opposition for her second round match at the China Open, as she takes on record-breaking teenager Mirra Andreeva.
Andreeva is the current world number five, and Zhu is hoping that their match is put on the main court at the China National Tennis Center.
“I hope that the next match will be happening on the Diamond Court because it’s very special compared to other courts,” said Zhu. “I’m looking forward to the next match. I hope I can bring out the next performance.”
Zhu was then asked about what she thought of her next opponent, with it being a first-time meeting between Andreeva and herself.
“My opponent? We never played before,” answered Zhu. “I watched her matches. I see a lot of potential in her. She, of course, is improving, progressing. The most important thing is to focus on my health, to improve and practice.”
It is not yet clear on which court the match between Zhu and Andreeva will take place, but it will definitely be played on Saturday, September 27.
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