Rybakina loses first match as world No 1 to 118th-ranked Charaeva
Alina Charaeva recovered from losing the opening set to beat Elena Rybakina in the China Open second round. Reports described the result as a ranking-era record for a comeback against the world No 1.
World No 118 Alina Charaeva came from a set down to defeat Elena Rybakina in Beijing. Sky reported that it was Rybakina’s first match as world No 1.
- Charaeva won 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
- Rybakina made seven double faults.
- The contest lasted two hours and 11 minutes.
- Charaeva is scheduled to face Sonay Kartal next.
What's new
- Charaeva beat Rybakina 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. [s1, s2]
- Sky described it as Rybakina’s first match as world No 1. [s3]
- Charaeva is due to face Britain’s Sonay Kartal next. [s1, s3]
Reports published on Oct 3 and 4 said Elena Rybakina lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to world No 118 Alina Charaeva in the second round of the China Open in Beijing. Sky Sports described the contest as Rybakina’s first match since becoming world No 1.123
Charaeva overturns opening-set deficit
After dropping the opening set to Rybakina, 24-year-old Russian-born Armenian Charaeva mounted a comeback. She took the next two sets 6-4 and 6-3 to eliminate the top-ranked player. Sky Sports reported that Charaeva had not previously played an opponent from the top 20 and described her as having beaten the tournament’s top seed.123
The Japan Times reported that Charaeva converted five of her eight break-point opportunities and won 76 per cent of the points played behind her first serve. Rybakina produced seven double faults during the two-hour, 11-minute match. Charaeva said after the victory: “I don't have words”.13
Reports from The Japan Times and ABC Australia said Charaeva became the lowest-ranked player since WTA rankings were introduced in 1975 to recover from a set down and defeat the world No 1. Sky reported that she would meet Britain’s Sonay Kartal in the round of 32.123
Rybakina returns after US Open title
Sky Sports and ABC Australia reported that Rybakina reached the top ranking after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final. The Japan Times said the China Open contest was Rybakina’s first appearance since that final and described her as a three-time Grand Slam champion. Sky said the US Open had been her second major title of 2026.123
According to The Japan Times, Rybakina skipped Kazakhstan’s run at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, citing what she described as a “physically demanding month”. Her return in Beijing began successfully, but she could not retain control after taking the opening set against Charaeva.1
Other China Open results
ABC Australia reported that Kimberly Birrell lost 6-4, 6-4 to 18th seed Marie Bouzkova in the second round, after Birrell had won the Korea Open final against Maya Joint the previous Sunday. ABC Australia said Maria Sakkari defeated Storm Hunter 6-2, 6-2 in 73 minutes, meaning Taylah Preston was Australia’s sole remaining singles player.2
The Japan Times said German No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev progressed from the men’s round of 16 with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Shang Juncheng. Zverev was scheduled to face Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, in the quarter-finals.1
Why it matters
The result immediately interrupted Rybakina’s opening period at the top of the rankings and sent Charaeva into a match against British player Sonay Kartal. The Beijing draw also retains European interest through players including Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the men’s quarter-finals.13
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