China Open Preview for September 29: Zhang Shuai, Bu Yunchaokete, Alcaraz, and Naomi all shows

On September 29, the China Open continues with third-round women's singles matches, featuring Zhang Shuai, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff bidding to reach the fourth round. The second round of men’s singles will also be in play, with BuYunchaokete and Carlos Alcaraz eyeing quarterfinal spots.

Zhang Shuai will take on Belgian Greet Minnen in the third match on the Diamond Court, which will be their first-ever encounter. After upsetting No.6 seed Emma Navarro in the last round, Zhang is in good shape and hopes to advance. Last year’s French Open women's doubles champions, Wang Xinyu and Hsieh Su-wei, will start the day on the Brad Drewett Court against No.1 seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe. In the following match, Wang Xiyu and Wang Yafan will also challenge No.4 seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez.

Two Grand Slam champions are also looking to advance to the round of 16. 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff will close out the night on the Diamond Court against 26th seed Katie Boulter, with their head-to-head tied at 1-1. On Lotus Court, 2019 China Open champion and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka will set to play American Katie Volynets, marking their first meeting.

Other notable women's singles matches include US Open finalist and No.2 seed Jessica Pegula against No.32 seed Veronika Kudermetova. Also, No.15 seed and former world No. 2 Paula Badosa faces the challenge from Slovakian Rebecca Slamkova, who has won 13 of her last 14 matches. Meanwhile, 10th seed Anna Kalinskaya will compete with American Peyton Stearns.

For the men’s singles, BuYunchaokete, who triumphed in the Chinese derby against Shang Juncheng, will kick off on the Diamond Court. He faces 6th seed and Olympic bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti, which will be their first meeting. Bu expressed his excitement for the match: "We’ve known each other for years. We met and chatted with each other when we were juniors. I’ve always admired and enjoyed watching his artistic style of tennis."

Besides, No.2 seed and Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will start the night session on the Diamond Court, facing Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 3-0. Other men’s second-round matches include 7th seed Karen Khachanov against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo and 4th seed Andrey Rublev playing Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, both on the Lotus Court.