Elena Rybakina’s first appearance since clinching the world No.1 ranking ended in a shocking upset, as she was beaten by Alina Charaeva, who is currently ranked No.118, at the China Open on Saturday afternoon. Rybakina had ascended to the top of the WTA ladder after capturing her second Grand Slam title of 2026 at the US Open, but the triumph was short‑lived. In a three‑set battle, she fell 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to the unheralded Armenian teenager, a result that sent shockwaves through the tournament and the tennis world.
Charaeva, who had never before faced a player inside the top‑20, displayed composure beyond her years. Her victory over the top seed set up a round‑of‑32 encounter with Britain’s rising star Sonay Kartal. After the match, an elated Charaeva struggled to find words, describing the win as "incredible" and a "dream come true." She praised Rybakina’s season, noting the Russian’s two Grand Slam titles, and emphasized the mental toughness required to turn the match in her favor, urging herself and others to "never stop believing." The China Open also featured a number of other notable performances.
In Tokyo, Carlos Alcaraz survived a tense first‑set tiebreak, edging out Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 to secure a quarter‑final berth. Alcaraz, the world No.3, was down 2-5 in the tiebreak and saved four set points before reversing the momentum and taking the lead.
He then dominated the second set, breaking Arnaldi twice. Reflecting on his win, Alcaraz said he focused on staying present "point after point" and adjusted his tactics mid‑match, which ultimately paid off. Elsewhere in Tokyo, Jiri Lehecka staged a comeback against Ugo Humbert, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to move into the quarter‑finals where he will face Adolfo Daniel Vallejo Alvarez, the player who eliminated Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.
At the China Open, Alexander Zverev, the reigning US Open champion, advanced comfortably past wildcard Juncheng Shang with a 6-0, 6-3 victory, setting up a high‑profile quarter‑final clash against Novak Djokovic. Australian Alex de Minaur, after a disappointing second‑round exit at the US Open, returned to form by defeating France’s Quentin Halys in three sets on Saturday. His win puts him against Andrey Rublev in the quarter‑finals, a match that carries significant weight for the Race to Turin as both players vie for a coveted spot at the year‑end ATP Finals.
Rublev earned his quarter‑final place by overcoming Roman Safiullin 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, rebounding from a second‑set setback. Daniil Medvedev continued his strong showing, dispatching Jan‑Lennard Struff in straight sets and awaiting the winner of the Francisco Cerundolo versus Jakub Mensik tie.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Coco Gauff returned from a three‑week break after her US Open semi‑final loss to Rybakina. She secured a place in the third round of the China Open with a 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-2 victory over world No.66 Camila Osorio.
Gauff survived a first‑set tiebreak, dropped the second set after a late break, and ultimately held her nerve to close out the match, setting up a showdown with China’s Xinran Sun. Britain’s Harriet Dart started brightly against tenth‑seed Iva Jovic, taking the opening set, but could not maintain the momentum, eventually succumbing 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. In another notable match, Iga Swiatek, fresh from a round‑of‑16 exit at the US Open, returned to action and dominated China’s Xinyu Gao 6-2, 6-3, converting five break points and showcasing the aggressive baseline play that has defined her recent dominance.
Elina Svitolina faced a stern test against Czech Katerina Siniakova. After dropping the first set 1-6, Svitolina rallied to win the next two 6-4, 6-2, demonstrating her resilience and tactical adjustments. Her victory secures her progression to the next round of the tournament. For fans wishing to follow the ongoing action, the ATP Japan Open, the WTA/ATP China Open, and the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters are all available for streaming without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports app, providing live coverage of the matches and the dramatic storylines that continue to unfold across the tennis calendar.
These developments underscore the unpredictable nature of professional tennis, where even the world’s top‑ranked players can be vulnerable to up‑sets from hungry newcomers. Rybakina’s loss serves as a reminder that rankings offer no guarantees, while the performances of Alcaraz, Zverev, de Minaur, and others illustrate the depth of talent competing at the highest level.
As the season progresses, each tournament will bring fresh opportunities for emerging stars to challenge established champions, making for an exciting and ever‑evolving sport.