BEIJING -- Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva will face home favorite Zheng Qinwen in the final of the China Open after both players won their respective semifinal matches Saturday.
Zheng defeated Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2 and delighted the home supporters by becoming the first Chinese finalist in the tournament, which dates back to 2004.
The 24-year-old Zheng won eight of the last 10 games against Mertens to reach her second career WTA 1000 final.
Earlier, Andreeva, the French Open champion, earned her 50th match win of the season by beating Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 6-2.
No. 5-ranked Andreeva is set to move up two spots in next week's rankings. Her 50 match wins puts her in a tie with Jessica Pegula for most on tour, according to the WTA.
The 19-year-old Andreeva had defeated Bartunkova, a 20-year-old Czech player ranked No. 34, in the third round of the US Open in their only other meeting.