Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return to Anna Kalinskaya of Russia during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

BEIJING, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's Zheng Qinwen advanced to the third round of the China Open on Saturday after Russia's Anna Kalinskaya retired while trailing 3-0 in the deciding set.

Playing in front of a packed Diamond Court, Zheng earned the first break in the eighth game of the opening set, but Kalinskaya immediately broke back. Neither player could gain another advantage before Kalinskaya took the tiebreak to win the set 7-6 (4).

With daylight fading and conditions becoming colder and windier, Olympic champion Zheng found her rhythm in the second set, using her powerful serve to take it 6-4 and force a decider.

Zheng broke early in the third set and moved 1-0 ahead before the 27-year-old Kalinskaya called for a medical timeout. The Russian continued briefly before retiring with Zheng leading 3-0.

"Kalinskaya returns very fast and flat, and her backhand is quite strong. So, the first set was not easy for me as I missed some break points and got a little bit emotional," Zheng said.

"In the third set, I adjusted myself to take a three-game lead. I believe I can win, though seeing her withdraw from the match is not the result that I expected." ■

Zheng Qinwen of China serves to Anna Kalinskaya of Russia during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return to Anna Kalinskaya of Russia during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Anna Kalinskaya of Russia hits a return to Zheng Qinwen of China during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Zheng Qinwen of China celebrates scoring while competing against Anna Kalinskaya of Russia during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Anna Kalinskaya of Russia hits a return to Zheng Qinwen of China during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Anna Kalinskaya of Russia hits a return to Zheng Qinwen of China during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return to Anna Kalinskaya of Russia during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Zheng Qinwen of China celebrates scoring while competing against Anna Kalinskaya of Russia during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Anna Kalinskaya of Russia serves to Zheng Qinwen of China during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

Anna Kalinskaya of Russia hits a return to Zheng Qinwen of China during the women's singles second round match at 2026 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)

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