Full Breakdown
Rybakina’s First Match as World No. 1 Ends in Shock Upset
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The Upset on Court
On Oct 3 at the China Open in Beijing, world No. 1 Elena Rybakina was defeated in the second round by world No. 118 Alina Charaeva, a 24-year-old Russian-born Armenian. Charaeva rallied from a 3-6 first-set loss to win 6-4, 6-3, completing the comeback in a match that lasted two hours and eleven minutes. Rybakina served seven double faults and was broken five times, while Charaeva converted five of eight break-point chances and won 76 % of points on her first serve.
Background & Context
Rybakina entered the tournament as the newly crowned world No. 1, a ranking she secured after capturing the U.S. Open title the previous month. The Beijing match marked her first appearance since that Grand Slam victory and her first competition after skipping Kazakhstan’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which she described as a physically demanding month. Charaeva, ranked 118th and playing only her 17th WTA main-draw match, had never faced a top-20 opponent before this encounter.
Data & Statistics
- Scoreline: 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 (Charaeva)
- Rankings: Rybakina #1 (Kazakhstan) vs. Charaeva #118 (Armenia)
- Double faults (Rybakina): 7
- Service points won (Charaeva, third set): 20 of 26
- Break points faced (Rybakina): 8, converted 5 by Charaeva
- Historical note: According to Field Level Media, Charaeva became the lowest-ranked player (No. 118) to rally from a set down and defeat a world No. 1 since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1975. AP reported she is only the ninth woman outside the top 100 to beat a No. 1.
Official Statements & Responses
She praised Charaeva’s performance, saying the Armenian “played a very good match.” Charaeva described the win as a “dream come true,” emphasizing her mental resilience and belief in turning the match around.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s kind of a dream come true,” — Alina Charaeva
- “Obviously it was a very tough day out there,” — Elena Rybakina, grand slam champion
- “There was a lot going on after the US Open victory. I didn't get a lot of chances to sleep and recover,” — Elena Rybakina, grand slam champion
- “I think it’s just about believing,” — Alina Charaeva
What’s Next
Charaeva’s victory sets up a third-round clash with Britain’s Sonay Kartal on Oct 5. Rybakina indicated she will rest for a week to address a foot issue before resuming competition later in the season.
Why It Matters
The upset underscores the volatility of the WTA Tour when a newly crowned world No. 1 faces an unseeded opponent early in a major event. It also highlights the depth of emerging talent, as a player ranked outside the top 100 achieved a historic comeback against the sport’s top-ranked competitor. The result may influence Rybakina’s preparation and scheduling as she seeks to defend her U.S. Open title and consolidate her position at the summit of women’s tennis.