Hot News - China Open

As the 2026 season nears its end, opportunity is on the rise for top-seed Alexander Zverev.

The 29-year-old already has had great success this season, capturing his first two Grand Slam titles. He returns to the China Open for his first regular tournament since winning the U.S. Open earlier this month.

Currently at No. 2 in the rankings, Zverev hopes to cement another first this year — the World No.1 ranking.

In Beijing, the thought of ending the season at the top is on Zverev’s mind, but not his priority.

“The only thing I can control is play good tennis, play well on the court, try to feel well on the court, try to do everything I can to prepare myself to play good tennis,” he said at his pre-tournament media conference. “Everything else will fall into place.”

Zverev’s match-up with Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie highlights Thursday’s China Open order of play, which also includes Zheng Qinwen’s opening-round match and the China Open debut of 16-year-old Chinese wildcard Sun Xinran.

Coming off a win at Roland Garros, a final appearance at Wimbledon, the semis at the Australian Open and a win at the U.S. Open, everything seems to be clicking for Zverev this season. He’s the only man this year to have reached the last 16 or better at all four majors.

He credited his ability to perform well in New York and London to the confidence he gained in Paris.

“I think after winning the French Open, your mind changes because you feel like you’ve won one,” he said. “Straight after the French Open, I made it to the finals of Wimbledon. I really felt like I could win again.”

However, Zverev, who is making his eighth appearance in Beijing, is still seeking his first China Open title. He’s reached the semifinals on three occasions, most recently in 2023.

A successful run at the China Open would push Zverev in the right direction as the season concludes.

Norrie, formerly No. 8 in the world, will hope to upset the top seed. Norrie and Zverev faced each other just over a month ago in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, where Zverev prevailed in three sets.

Zverev isn’t the only superstar taking the stage on day two of main draw action. After a strong U.S. Open showing, where she fought her way from qualifying to the quarterfinals, Zheng returns to Beijing. Zheng, who won the gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, hopes to manage the pressure of playing in her home country as she takes on compatriot Shi Han.

China’s teenage phenom Sun will be in the 7 p.m. spotlight match on the Diamond Court, facing off against Germany’s Eva Lys. The teenager is fresh off winning the U.S. Open junior title, capping a terrific year at the Grand Slams. She reached the junior finals of the French Open and at Wimbledon and the junior quarterfinals at the Australian Open.

Thursday will also see No. 8 seed Jakub Mensik take on Alexander Bublik. Both players are coming off the Laver Cup, where Mensik defeated Bublik in doubles to help secure a win for Team Europe. Mensik, who currently sits at No. 14 in the world, needs a deep run in the Asian Swing to rise up in the rankings and guarantee a spot in the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, Italy.

Alex De Minaur and Learner Tien, who are ranked No. 10 and No. 15 in the world, respectively, are also hoping to earn a spot in Turin. Tien, who was a finalist in Beijing last year, will hope to begin another successful campaign at the China Open as he faces former No. 6 Hubert Hurkacz, who made a run to the finals just last week at the Chengdu Open. De Minaur takes on Mariano Navone of Argentina.

By Maggie Bane and Maya Sabapathy

Day 2 Preview: Zverev opens China Open campaign; Zheng Qinwen returns