Beijing’s second day at the China Open belonged not only to home favourite Zheng Qinwen, but also to a group of Chinese teenagers taking their first steps in a WTA main draw. Sixteen-year-old junior world No. 1 Sun Xinran made the strongest statement, while 17-year-old Qu Yihan pushed Harriet Dart through more than three hours on Court 3.
Sun turns Beijing debut into a breakthrough
Sun arrived with growing attention after lifting the girls’ US Open title last month, adding to girls’ singles runner-up finishes at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this season. Her earlier professional resume included two W15 trophies in Sharm El Sheikh late in 2025 and a first victory over a Top 200 opponent, Lina Gjorcheska, at the Istanbul WTA 125 in May.
Despite those credentials, the world No. 582 said she felt “really nervous” before stepping onto Diamond Court for her first WTA main-draw match. The nerves surfaced immediately, as she surrendered serve in the opening game against world No. 102 Eva Lys.
- Sun responded by winning the next nine games, racing to a 6-1, 3-0 lead over Lys, who reached the Beijing quarterfinals a year ago.
- The teenager repeatedly held her own in punishing exchanges from the baseline, producing a drop-shot winner on the 22nd ball of a rally at 2-1 and a corner backhand winner on the 23rd shot at 5-1.
- She closed the opening set with another backhand winner, celebrating loudly with the crowd behind her.
- Lys, troubled by seven double faults and later a foot injury, retired after 43 minutes with Sun ahead 6-1, 3-0.
“Honestly, I feel good on the court,” Sun said. “I’m making my tactic and following what I need to do. The match went really well, my way.”
Sun’s reward is a second-round meeting with No. 27 seed Cristina Bucsa.
Qu stretches Dart in three-hour contest
On an outside court, Qu gave the Beijing crowd another reason for optimism despite falling just short against British qualifier Dart. The 17-year-old, ranked outside the group of players who have beaten a Top 600 opponent, recovered from a difficult opening phase to turn the contest into one of the longest matches of the tournament.
- Dart moved through the first set and established a 6-2, 3-1 advantage, holding four points to extend that lead further.
- Qu fought back with her aggressive ball-striking, taking a 4-2 lead in the second set and earning two set points at 5-4.
- After failing to convert those chances, Qu held firm in the tiebreak to level the match.
- The deciding set remained on serve for its opening 11 games, with neither player facing a break point.
- Qu led 30-0 in the final game, but Dart won four consecutive points to complete a 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 victory after 3 hours and 3 minutes.
The match featured sharply contrasting styles, with Dart’s court coverage and counterpunching testing Qu’s attacking instincts. Qu produced a standout stretched volley, while Dart answered with a scrambling counter-drop shot during a gripping finish.
World No. 116 Dart advances to face No. 10 seed Iva Jovic in the second round.
Other Chinese wild cards exit
The remaining teenage wild cards were unable to join Sun in the next round. Anastasia Zakharova defeated 17-year-old Shao Yushan 6-0, 6-2 in 59 minutes, while qualifier Storm Hunter beat 16-year-old Lin Yu-Jun 6-2, 6-1 in 66 minutes.
Sun’s win ensured that the host nation’s junior talent had its moment under the Beijing lights, with the 16-year-old now set for her first clash with a seeded player at WTA level.
