Zheng Qinwen returns from elbow surgery with China Open win

Zheng Qinwen, ranked No. 9 and Olympic champion, made a strong comeback at the 2025 China Open after undergoing surgery on her right elbow in July, defeating Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round. Despite not being fully recovered—estimating she is at 70-80% fitness—Zheng showcased her aggressive game and maintained her unbeaten record against Arango. This victory marked her first official win since June, when she reached the semifinals at Queen's Club, and her first match since a first-round loss at Wimbledon due to her injury. Zheng expressed her happiness to play in front of home fans in Beijing and acknowledged the long recovery ahead but was encouraged by her current progress. She will face Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic next in the tournament. Zheng's performance at home continues to be impressive, with a 75% win rate at WTA 1000 events in China, making her a crowd favorite.