Zheng's absence shines light on China's depth

WUHAN — When China's top player Zheng Qinwen announced her withdrawal from the 2026 Wuhan Open due to a right shoulder injury, many home fans were left disappointed.

The 24-year-old had just lifted the China Open trophy and was expected to spearhead the home challenge in central China. Her absence, however, turned the spotlight on the other homegrown talent competing.

Ranked outside the world's top 200, 21-year-old Shi Han earned her place in the Wuhan main draw the hard way, qualifying by beating top-seeded American Peyton Stearns and top-100 player Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan.

Drawn against Argentine 13th seed and world No 19 Solana Sierra in the first round, Shi admitted she was taken aback by the challenge.

"I had finally made it through qualifying, only to get such a tough draw," Shi recalled after the match.

With little to lose, she decided to give it everything she had. After dropping the opening set 6-4, Shi fought back to win the next two 6-3,6-3, her solid first serve reaching speeds of 180 km/h deep into the decider. The win was Shi's first over a top-20 opponent and her first main-draw victory at a WTA 1000 event.

Shi then pushed former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the second round, taking a 4-1 lead in the second set before Fernandez closed out the match in straight sets. Shi left Wuhan encouraged rather than disheartened.

"I've played a lot of tournaments this season. I wanted to improve my ranking as quickly as possible and get back to the Grand Slams," Shi said. "I'm quite satisfied with the effort I've put in. I have nothing to lose. I hope to go further and play better tennis."

Wild card Guo Hanyu, ranked No 240 in singles but fresh from Wimbledon doubles glory, arrived in Wuhan with modest expectations. Facing 12th seed and world No 16 Sorana Cirstea in the opening round, Guo lost the first set 6-1 and trailed 4-0 in the second.

"Until the match was over, I didn't think I was going to win," Guo said. "I just wanted to stay on court a little longer and enjoy the atmosphere. I didn't expect my form to keep getting better."

After seizing control of the match in the second set, she found herself trailing 3-5 in the decider. She broke Cirstea when the Romanian served for the match and reeled off four consecutive games to complete a remarkable 1-6, 7-6 (6), 7-5 comeback.

She followed that with another marathon win over American Katie Volynets, prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3) after more than three hours on court. Guo's run ended against fifth seed Elina Svitolina in the third round — the only Chinese player to reach that stage in Wuhan — but reaching the last 16 was her best singles result at a WTA 1000 event.

Her achievement carried extra significance amid personal turmoil. Shortly after returning from Wimbledon, where she partnered France's Kristina Mladenovic to claim the women's doubles title, Guo learned her father had been admitted to intensive care.

"I can't stand on court and enjoy the match happily like I used to. There has always been a feeling of sadness around me," she said. "I keep telling myself to leave it to fate. All I can do is to play point by point, give my best and see where fate takes me."

Last year, Guo recorded her first WTA 1000 main-draw victory in Montreal. After winning two main-draw matches in Wuhan, she now carries greater confidence into future tournaments.

"At least against players ranked in the top 100, whoever I'm facing, I feel I have a way to compete," she said. "Maybe I won't win every time, but I believe every match brings progress and something to learn."

On Oct 13, 37-year-old Zhang Shuai walked onto center court to face No 55-ranked 22-year-old Ashlyn Krueger of the United States.

Zhang began her professional career in 2006, meaning her time on tour almost matches the age of her young opponent.

But, Zhang's fatigue was evident.

She struggled with her movement, her shots lacked their usual power, and she repeatedly bent over her racket to catch her breath. She eventually lost 6-3, 6-0.

Zhang's heavy workload this year helps explain her fatigue. Since the US Open, she has played at the Billie Jean King Cup, won an Asian Games silver medal in Nagoya, reached the China Open doubles final and, two days later, arrived in Wuhan. Counting singles, doubles and mixed doubles, she has played 128 matches this year.

"At this intensity and at my age, I think I must be a superhero," she said. "Even though I played like this today, I'm still very proud of myself."

As she left Wuhan, the veteran was already looking ahead.

"I'm not young anymore, but I'll give everything I have over the next year and try to come back to the Wuhan Open," Zhang said. "I hope I can perform better next year."