China Open 2026 Kicks Off, Indonesia's Janice Tjen to Face Anhelina Kalinina

RRI.CO.ID, Beijing - The China Open 2026 launches the Asian leg of two consecutive WTA 1000 tournaments on Wednesday, September 30. Newly crowned US Open champion Elena Rybakina leads the field as the top seed, joined by Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva in the top four.

Gauff, the 2024 China Open champion, returns alongside two other former winners: Iga Swiatek, who lifted the trophy in 2023, and Naomi Osaka, the 2019 champion.

Rybakina occupies the top quarter of the draw and could face Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals if both advance past their early opponents. In the second quarter, Gauff and Swiatek are on course for a potential quarterfinal clash, one that would mark their 17th meeting, with Swiatek holding an 11–5 head-to-head advantage.

Indonesian player Janice Tjen also draws attention in the third quarter, where she opens against Anhelina Kalinina. That section features Andreeva and Linda Noskova as the highest seeds, with a possible quarterfinal showdown looming. Andreeva leads their rivalry 4–2 across six previous encounters.

In the bottom quarter, second seed Sabalenka receives a first-round bye and could meet Osaka in the quarterfinals, their fifth meeting of 2026. Osaka last defeated Sabalenka at Wimbledon, snapping a three-match losing streak, though Sabalenka still leads their overall record 3–2.

Beyond Janice’s debut, several first-round matches stand out, including Paula Badosa versus Daria Kasatkina. The two renew their rivalry after Badosa edged Kasatkina in a marathon two-day battle at the US Open.

The China Open, part of the WTA’s Asian Swing, is classified as a WTA 1000 event. Qualifying concludes on Tuesday, September 29, ahead of the main draw opening on Wednesday, September 30, in Beijing. (Diffa Sephiaawardhani)