The result makes Rybakina only the second woman in WTA Tour history to lose her first match as World No. 1.
Alina Charaeva Claims Career-Defining Upset in Beijing
Entering the week in Beijing, only one player in WTA Tour history had dropped their opening match after ascending to the top ranking. Charaeva joined that exclusive club by rallying from a set down against the top seed. The 24-year-old is just the ninth player outside the Top 100 to defeat a reigning World No. 1 since rankings began in 1975, according to data. Playing just her 17th tour-level main-draw match, the Armenian player also became the lowest-ranked competitor to achieve a comeback victory against a World No. 1. Her previous best victory came against No. 31 Wang Xinyu earlier in the season. Charaeva admitted she was extremely nervous coming into the match, noting that while she tried to enjoy her time on court and not feel nervous, it was impossible.
“I don’t have words honestly, playing Elena and the World No. 1, it’s such a good experience,” Charaeva said on court after the victory. “I’m really happy to manage my emotions and play my best tennis.”
“I was just trying to stay really hard mentally and keep believing that at some point I could turn it around again to my side,” Charaeva added. “And I guess I just never stopped believing.”
Elena Rybakina Points to Fatigue After US Open Triumph
Serena Williams’ coach Rennae Stubbs remarked on the sudden exit by stating that staying at the top comes with immediate challenges, noting on social media that it is “not easy at the top.”
“Obviously it was a very tough day out there,” Rybakina said after the match. “There was a lot going on after the US Open victory. I didn’t get a lot of chances to sleep and recover. Congratulations to Alina. She played a very good match, and I felt my foot a little bit at the end of the match. So it’s time to rest a little bit and see what is next in the upcoming weeks.”
Match Statistics and Deciding Sets
Rybakina claimed the first set 6-3. During the match, Rybakina committed seven double faults and dropped her serve five times.
The defeat places Rybakina alongside Naomi Osaka, who lost to Kristina Mladenovic in Dubai in 2019 during her first tournament appearance as World No. 1.
Coco Gauff Defeats Camila Osorio to Reach Third Round
Coco Gauff returned from a three-week break following her semifinal defeat to Rybakina at the US Open, overcoming world No. 66 Camila Osorio 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2 to reach the third round. Harriet Dart was eliminated from the tournament after losing to 10th seed Iva Jovic. In the men’s tournament at the event, top seed and U.S. Open champion Alexander Zverev defeated wild card Shang Juncheng 6-0, 6-3 to arrange a quarterfinal matchup against Novak Djokovic, while third-seeded Daniil Medvedev advanced by defeating Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-3. Alex de Minaur also progressed by beating Quentin Halys 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5.
Frequently Asked Questions About the China Open Upset
Who did Alina Charaeva defeat to secure her career-best win?
Charaeva defeated reigning US Open champion and World No. 1 Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round of the China Open on Saturday.
What historical milestone did Alina Charaeva reach with this victory?
By defeating Rybakina, Charaeva became only the ninth player outside the Top 100 to defeat a reigning World No. 1 since rankings were established in 1975.
Which other player previously lost their debut match as World No. 1?
Naomi Osaka was the only other player in WTA history to lose her first match as World No. 1, falling to Kristina Mladenovic in Dubai in 2019.