Zheng Qinwen set for comeback at China Open, could face Andreeva then Swiatek
Returning after elbow surgery in July, the Olympic champion learns her fate in the draw for the WTA 1000 event starting Wednesday
Zheng Qinwen is on the brink of making her return to competitive tennis after confirmation arrived from organisers that she would be playing in this week’s China Open in Beijing.
China’s No 1 has been out of action since July, when she had surgery to fix an elbow injury that had plagued her season.
Her last match was a defeat by Czech player Katerina Siniakova in the first round at Wimbledon that month.
“Zheng Qinwen returns from injury, taking the court for the first time since Wimbledon in front of her home fans,” the tournament organisers said.
As one of the tournament’s top seeds, Zheng has been handed a bye to the second round at the National Tennis Centre, where she will face the winner of the match between her compatriot Wang Yafan and Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands.
The Olympic champion’s run to the final could involve her having to face the No 4 seed, Mirra Andreeva of Russia, in the quarter-finals. Should she get through that match, she could meet No 1 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland in the last four.