Key Takeaways
- Mirra Andreeva defeated Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 6-2 in the Beijing semifinals by converting five of 10 break points.
- The 19-year-old world No. 5 leads the WTA Tour in 2026 with 301 break points converted.
- Andreeva attributed her returning success to consistent drill work initiated by coach Conchita Martinez.
Dominant semifinal display propels Andreeva into Beijing final
Mirra Andreeva secured her place in the final in Beijing with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Nikola Bartunkova. The 19-year-old French Open champion capitalized on five of her 10 break chances throughout the match, breaking three times in the opening set and twice more in the second.
With those breakthroughs against the Czech player, Andreeva pushed her season total to 301 break points converted, a tally that leads the WTA Tour in 2026.
Return focus paying off with coach Conchita Martinez
Addressing her returning prowess following the semifinal, Andreeva credited consistent technical preparation spearheaded by her coach, Conchita Martinez.
“We’ve been working on returning a lot,” Andreeva explained, noting that the emphasis was Martinez’s idea. Andreeva mentioned that the coaching team addresses the return during every training session to keep pressure on opposing servers, expressing satisfaction that the effort is showing results as she continues to develop her game.
Impressive path to the championship match
The world No. 5 has produced strong form across her campaign in Beijing. After dropping the opening set of her tournament opener against Yue Yuan, Andreeva rallied with consecutive love sets to claim a 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 win. She has not dropped a set since, eliminating Polina Kudermetova, Daria Snigur, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Bartunkova.
Andreeva now enters the title match targeting her first championship in Beijing and her third WTA 1000 trophy, with Zheng Qinwen among the potential opponents.
WTA Beijing - Mirra Andreeva's projected path
Mirra Andreeva in 2026
Now ranked no.5 (career-high), the Russian played her last match on the 11th of October when she surrendered to world no.54 Qinwen Zheng 7-5 6-4 in the final in Beijing (draw).
Until now, during this year the Russian has achieved a 50-16 match record. Mirra has won 3 titles in 2026 in Adelaide, Linz and French Open.
WTA Wuhan - Nikola Bartunkova's projected path
Nikola Bartunkova in 2026
Now the world no.34 (career-high), Nikola played her last match on the 10th of October when she lost to world no.5 Mirra Andreeva 6-2 6-2 in the semifinal in Beijing (draw).
This season the Czech achieved a 38-21 match record. Nikola Bartunkova’s latest run in the Birmingham was the best achievement of her season.
Mirra Andreeva and Nikola Bartunkova faced off only twice. Their record is 2-0 for Andreeva.
