Alina Charaeva produced a landmark comeback under the Beijing lights on Saturday, overturning a set deficit to defeat World No. 1 Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 and reach the third round of the China Open.
The Russian qualifier, ranked No. 118, needed 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete the biggest victory of her career in only her 17th WTA main-draw appearance. Charaeva had never beaten a player ranked higher than No. 31 before this week, with that previous best result coming against Wang Xinyu earlier this season.
A rare defeat for a new No. 1
Rybakina became only the second player in WTA Tour history to lose her first match after ascending to World No. 1. Charaeva’s victory also placed her in a small historical group: she is the ninth player ranked outside the Top 100 to beat the women’s world No. 1 since the WTA rankings began in 1975.
Her recovery was especially notable. Charaeva is the lowest-ranked player to rally from a set down and defeat the reigning No. 1.
Rybakina controlled the opening set, taking it 6-3, but Charaeva stayed in the contest and levelled the match with a 6-4 second set. The 24-year-old then carried that momentum into the decider, closing out a 6-3 final set to seal one of the season’s most striking upsets.
Kartal awaits in the third round
The win sends Charaeva into the third round of the China Open draw, where she will meet Sonay Kartal. The Beijing result is a major breakthrough for a player still early in her tour-level career, while Rybakina’s first outing as the top-ranked player ends in an unexpected defeat.
