China Open: Alexandrova beats Noskova 6-2, 6-2 to reach first QF in Beijing
Synopsis
Alexandrova didn't just beat Noskova — she dismantled the reigning Wimbledon champion without losing a single service game, completing a 6-2, 6-2 demolition to reach her first-ever China Open quarterfinal at age 31. Now she faces Mirra Andreeva in an all-Russian last-eight showdown, holding a 2-0 head-to-head edge over her younger compatriot.
Key Takeaways
Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-2 in the China Open round of 16 on Tuesday, 6 October .
Alexandrova reached her first-ever China Open quarterfinal at age 31 , becoming the oldest first-time quarterfinalist in the tournament's history.
She did not drop a serve throughout the match against the reigning Wimbledon champion and No.
The win was Alexandrova's 22nd career victory over a top-10 player and her seventh WTA 1000 quarterfinal .
Mirra Andreeva also advanced, beating Daria Snigur 6-2, 6-2 to set up an all-Russian quarterfinal.
Andreeva holds a 0-2 head-to-head record against Alexandrova heading into the last eight.
Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia delivered a dominant display at the China Open in Beijing on Tuesday, 6 October, crushing Czechia's Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-2 in the round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time at the tournament. The result sets up an all-Russian last-eight clash with compatriot Mirra Andreeva, who also advanced on the same day.
Alexandrova's Historic Run
The No. 19 seed Alexandrova was near-flawless against the No. 5 seed Noskova — the reigning Wimbledon champion — without dropping a single service game throughout the match. The commanding win marked her 22nd career victory over a top-10 player, a testament to her big-match pedigree on the WTA Tour.
At 31 years of age, Alexandrova became the oldest first-time quarterfinalist in China Open history, and only the third oldest player overall to reach the last eight at this event — behind Serena Williams and Shuai Zhang. The victory also pushed her into her seventh WTA 1000 quarterfinal, with this being her second of the 2026 season after reaching the same stage in Toronto.
Andreeva Also Advances in Style
Earlier in the day, Mirra Andreeva matched Alexandrova's scoreline almost identically, defeating Daria Snigur by the same 6-2, 6-2 margin in the round of 16. Andreeva was particularly sharp on serve and defence, crediting her game plan post-match.
'I think today I was serving well,' Andreeva said after her win. 'I also think that I was defending well because she's a very aggressive player. I thought being a good defender today would be good and useful. I think I did these two things the best today.'
All-Russian Quarterfinal Awaits
The upcoming quarterfinal pits two Russian players against each other, with Andreeva holding a 0-2 head-to-head record against Alexandrova — having lost both previous meetings. Andreeva acknowledged the challenge ahead with candour.
'Well, one thing I do know for sure, I didn't beat her yet,' Andreeva said with a smile. 'I will try my best with Conchita to see how I play against her, what to change, and try something new that I can bring into the match. For sure it's going to be a great, entertaining match. She's a great player. I don't know. Pretty excited to finally get that first win against her.'
What's Next
The all-Russian quarterfinal at the China Open promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament, with a semifinal berth on the line. Alexandrova will carry both the momentum of a dominant win and a favourable head-to-head record into the contest, while Andreeva will be eager to break her losing streak against her compatriot.
Point of View
Reaching a first WTA 1000 quarterfinal of this calibre rewrites the narrative on veteran players in women's tennis. The all-Russian quarterfinal also puts the sport's geopolitical complexities back in focus, even if only implicitly. Whether Andreeva can finally solve the Alexandrova puzzle will be the real drama to watch.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Alexandrova vs Noskova at the China Open?
Ekaterina Alexandrova defeated Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-2 in the China Open round of 16 in Beijing on 6 October. Alexandrova did not drop a single service game throughout the match against the No. 5 seed and reigning Wimbledon champion.
Why is Alexandrova's China Open quarterfinal run historic?
At 31, Alexandrova became the oldest first-time quarterfinalist in China Open history, and only the third oldest player overall to reach the last eight at the tournament, behind Serena Williams and Shuai Zhang. It is also her seventh WTA 1000 quarterfinal.
Who will Alexandrova face in the China Open quarterfinal?
Alexandrova will face fellow Russian Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals, with a semifinal spot at stake. Alexandrova leads their head-to-head record 2-0, with Andreeva yet to win a match against her compatriot.
How did Mirra Andreeva advance to the China Open quarterfinal?
Andreeva defeated Daria Snigur 6-2, 6-2 in the round of 16, with a performance she credited to strong serving and disciplined defending against an aggressive opponent.
What did Mirra Andreeva say about facing Alexandrova?
Andreeva acknowledged her 0-2 record against Alexandrova and said she was 'pretty excited to finally get that first win against her,' adding that she planned to work with her coach Conchita on tactical adjustments for the match.
