Kartal wins again as Zverev sets up Djokovic tie

At the China Open, Sonay Kartal achieved another victory, continuing her successful return to the WTA Tour with a straight-set triumph over local player Wang Xinyu. The 24-year-old Kartal secured the win, defeating the 31st seed Wang 6-3, 6-2, in only her second match back after a six-month hiatus due to a back injury. Originally, she anticipated facing newly crowned world number one Elena Rybakina in the last 32, but Rybakina was unexpectedly defeated in a three-set match by unseeded Alina Charaeva, ranked 118th in the world.

In the men's competition, the top seed Alexander Zverev displayed his prowess as he easily overcame China's Juncheng Shang with a score of 6-0, 6-3. This victory positioned Zverev for a quarter-final clash against Novak Djokovic, who has a storied history at the China Open, winning the event six times without a match loss in Beijing. On a noteworthy note, Zverev's recent performance played a crucial role in his pathway to potentially rising to the number one ranking. Should he secure victory at both the China Open and the upcoming Shanghai Masters, he would achieve a milestone in his career.

Kartal, who previously reached the quarter-finals in Beijing in 2025, had seen her world ranking drop to 129 after missing most of the current season, including three Grand Slam tournaments. She withdrew from a last-16 match against Rybakina at Indian Wells in March and did not return to competitive play until she participated in last month's Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Following her comeback, Kartal demonstrated resilience and skill, previously prevailing against Spain's Andrea Lazaro Garcia and now against Wang, with 12 winners and only 11 unforced errors compared to her opponent's 24. She was successful in converting five out of her 14 break points. In an interview conducted on-court, Kartal expressed her delight to be competing again at this event.

Despite promoting a strong showing, Kartal's compatriot Harriet Dart faced a tough match against Iva Jovic, the American 10th seed, ultimately succumbing in three sets with scores of 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Zverev’s ascension in recent tournaments, including his first two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and the US Open, has set the stage for his much-anticipated match against Djokovic on Sunday. The upcoming matchup not only brings historical significance due to Djokovic's success at the China Open but also presents Zverev with a concrete opportunity to achieve the world number one ranking, particularly after the withdrawal of current top player Jannik Sinner from the Shanghai Masters as he recovers from a knee injury.