Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese woman to win the China Open by beating Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in Beijing.
Zheng, who entered the tournament as a wildcard ranked number 54 in the world, saved three set points in Sunday’s opening set before overcoming fourth seed Andreeva 7-5, 6-4.
Th 24-year-old fell to the floor as she secured match point and treated the raucous home crowd to some karaoke following her victory speech.
“The feeling was incredible. To win here in Beijing in front of my home crowd is one of my dreams,” she said.
“I’ve been through a very, very tough year.”
For Zheng, who underwent elbow surgery last year, it was a first WTA 1000 title and her sixth title over all. The triumph brings an end to a two-year title drought for a player who has struggled with form and fitness in the past 12 months.
Andreeva, 19, was on top in the early stages of both sets, but was reeled back in both times.
Zheng will now climb 31 spots in the world rankings
The Russian led 2-0 in both sets and 5-4 in the first before Zheng defended three set points and won the remaining 11 points to win the opener 7-5.
Andreeva continued to make mistakes in a second set that was finely poised at 4-4 before Zheng took control.
The crowd was passionate,although disruptive, at times between points and a late double fault from Zheng in the final exchanges briefly threatened to derail a special occasion for Chinese tennis.
But there was to be no late collapse and Zheng sealed the win with an ace.
The win is her 14th win over a top-10 opponent and her third this season.
Despite the loss, Andreeva is expected to rise to number three in the world when the rankings are updated on Monday. Zheng is set to leap up 31 spots to number 23.

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles suffered a 4-5 penalty shootout defeat to Ghana after a thrilling 4-4 draw following extra time in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifying match in Kaduna on Saturday.

Isa Hamza Manga delivered an impressive performance for Nigeria, scoring a hat-trick, including the opening goal, as the Super Sand Eagles battled to stay in contention against the Black Sharks. Ekene Obi also found the net in extra time, but Nigeria were unable to secure victory as Ghana fought back to force a penalty shootout.

Mawuli Sosu scored twice for the Black Sharks, while Wise Nyamadi struck an equaliser in extra time to ensure the encounter ended level after regulation and extra time.

Ghana eventually prevailed 5-4 in the shootout, giving the Black Sharks an advantage heading into the return leg scheduled for Keta next Sunday

The Sand Eagles must now deliver a strong performance away from home to keep their hopes of qualifying for the continental tournament alive. The winner of the two-legged encounter will secure a place at the 2026 BSAFCON in Senegal.

Former Nigerian handball international players, Olumide Oyedeji and Ejike Ugboaja have been  cleared by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Electoral Commission for the October 15 elective congress

The former D’ Tigers players will face the game’s administrators, for Mark Mentors basketball owner, Igoche Mark and IMustapha Abdulahi in the election which is delayed for Abuja on Thursday 

The Electoral Committee said it has completed the screening of candidates for the elective congress, clearing four presidential aspirants and disqualifying one for late submission

The Commission in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr Lanre Glover, said Ugo Udezue is the only candidate for vice president.

Two candidates are in the running for each of the South-South, North West and South West zonal positions, while the North East, North Central and South East each have one.

In the South South, Osaze Omorodion and Fubara Fibika were cleared. Yusuf Surajo and Shaibu Mohammed will contest in the North West, while Adesanya Babatunde Abiola and Babatunde Ogunade Omotayo are the South West candidates. Abubakar Abba Kaka was cleared for the North East, Abdullahi Mustapha for the North Central and Udezue for the South East.

The Electoral Committee was approved at the federation’s Extraordinary Congress in Yola, Adamawa State, where 39 of the 44 delegates in attendance endorsed it. It also includes Sr Femi Olugbile, Alhaji Sani Fema, Engr Priscilla Ngozi Iroaganachi, Major General David Lubo and Mallam Farouk Yarima, with Barrister Ichene Kalu as secretary.

Oyedeji, a former NBA player, declared his candidacy at a press conference in Lagos on Monday. Mark is the initiator of the Mark D Ball Basketball Championship, and Abdullahi is the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria. Ugboaja has called for a transparent process in which all candidates are treated equally.

The congress will begin at 9am on October 15 in Abuja, after the committee publishes the final list of qualified candidates.