Elena Rybakina vs Alina Charaeva Preview & Prediction | 2026 China Open | Second Round

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Elena Rybakina plays Alina Charaeva in the second-round of the China Open. 

Ranking points: WTA 1000

Start date/time: 2 October 2026 at 4:00 am

Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing, China

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Elena Rybakina vs Alina Charaeva ticket information

Elena Rybakina vs Alina Charaeva prediction

Elena Rybakina will compete in her first match as the new world number one. She secured the top spot after advancing to the semi-finals of the US Open and capped it off with her third Grand Slam title after a stunning three set win over Aryna Sabalenka in the final. The 27-year-old has won both hard court majors this year, and she will now hope for a strong end to the best season of her career so far. 

She received a bye in the first-round and now faces Alina Charaeva. The 24-year-old produced a battling display as she came from a set down to beat Yuliia Starodubtseva. Remarkably, there were 18 breaks of serve throughout the match, with Charaeva controlling the decider to win 5-7 7-5 6-2. 

She will have to serve a whole lot better if she is to even have a chance against the three-time Grand Slam champion. Rybakina will be the clear favourite to come through with a comfortable victory. 

Elena Rybakina vs Alina Charaeva tip: Under 19.5 games