CHINA OPEN

October 3, 2026

Sun Xinran

Press Conference

SUN XINRAN/C. Bucsa

6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Incredible performance today. You must be delighted with the result. How did it feel out there today?

SUN XINRAN: I feel really excited before the match. I know she is really good player. I just want to play my best tennis. First set start really hard because I was little bit nervous. After I feel better and better. Just like this.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. The crowd really rallied around you tonight. What does it mean to have their support?

SUN XINRAN: It's means really a lot because it's really tough and it's really give me a big energy, yeah.

Q. Before the tournament what were your expectations going into a home event, potentially being able to get your first WTA win? Are you surprised? What is your emotion about making the third round?

SUN XINRAN: I mean, I didn't think about that too much. But yeah, it's surprise me. I'm just so happy.

But before every match I just thinking about my tactic, how I need to play, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. As a junior player, very good performance in recent matches. Some people asked Rybakina a few days ago how to be a world No. 1. You are the junior world No. 1. What would you need to do to become a real professional tennis player?

SUN XINRAN: I think in tennis you are not only about the strategies and tactics. I think off court it's better to be balanced, how do you do warm-up, after the match how do you do the recovery. This is really important.

Q. At the WTA 1000, two wins. Even for a professional tennis player it's not something easy. In the two previous matches you beat top-35 players. Talk about the experience of these matches. Can you compare these matches with your junior performance?

SUN XINRAN: Before the match I was pretty nervous. She is of a higher ranking. But I didn't think too much because I was just focusing point by point.

When I'm on the court I think I'm not that bad and there is not such a big gap.

Q. I can share a number with you. As of now, since 2014, you are the youngest player to have multiple wins. The last person was Andreeva. Any thoughts on this number?

SUN XINRAN: I don't know how to put it. I do not think too much into it. This is not something surprising because I know my tennis and I trust myself I could do these things. I'm not worse than other players.

Q. The next match against Coco, your match against a top player, what are your expectations?

SUN XINRAN: I'm really, really happy to have this chance playing Coco Gauff because she's a Grand Slam champion. I've been watching her matches on TV. This is a really great opportunity through my own effort.

I will value this opportunity. I will try to do my best.

Q. You've had two wins in the China Open. A lot of people think you've made history. Also few weeks ago you won the junior US Open champion. You're only 16. You're the youngest player in the China Open main draw. Does it have something to do with the special talent program in Shenzhen?

SUN XINRAN: Of course it's related. Shenzhen resources, I grew up in Shenzhen. I've played many matches, really good facilities, good coaches. Really good team with really great support.

Q. In previous press conferences you said that you are going to play more junior tournaments. After these two matches, would you be more confident in those junior events?

SUN XINRAN: Well, to some extent yes. I would think that junior players are really strong, so I would not underestimate other junior players.

But this kind of experience of course can improve my tennis.

Q. The crowd was cheering for you. Is it more pressure or motivation?

SUN XINRAN: Of course motivation. I really like that many Chinese people are here supporting me. I can hear their cheers. They were supporting me. In the future, in the next match, I hope to see more people here.

There are limits in terms of how professional matches I can play. Of course, I will try my best to go into these tournaments. I will be involved in junior tournaments to improve myself.

Q. In the second set when you were broken at the beginning, what kind of adjustments did you make to turn the match around?

SUN XINRAN: In the second set at the beginning it's not easy because between the break from the first set, it's a longer break. There's a fall in your focus.

I will try to get myself focused on the match again and do not give up after the break.

Q. You're facing Coco Gauff in the next round. What are you looking forward to about that match?

SUN XINRAN: She's really amazing player. She's Grand Slam champion. So I'm so excited to play with her. I respect her. So I just try to play my best tennis point by point and we will see what's happen.