World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will face Mexico’s Renata Zarazua (world No. 94) in the second round. Zarazua secured her spot by overcoming Hungary’s Anna Bondar (No. 64) in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3.

Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich (No. 121) will play Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 28) in the second round. Sasnovich made her way into the main draw through the qualifying rounds, defeating American Varvara Lepchenko (No. 189) 6-4, 6-1 and Chinese Junhan Zhang (No. 583) 6-2, 6-0. In the first round, the Belarusian carried that momentum into the first round, cruising past Australia’s Talia Gibson (No. 37) in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.

A year ago, American Amanda Anisimova clinched the China Open title by defeating Czechia’s Linda Noskova in the final. The 2026 tournament in Beijing will conclude on 11 October. The tournament boasts a massive $9.4 million purse, offering the winner a $1.1 million check along with 1,000 WTA ranking points.