As the 2026 China Open in Beijing gets underway, we can see several good matchups alread in the first round. Below we’re covering Tallon Griekspoor vs. Andrey Rublev and Learner Tien vs. Hubert Hurkacz with some betting predictions as well.
Tallon Griekspoor vs Andrey Rublev
Rublev arrives in Beijing without a seed for the first time in years, on course for quite a weak season despite a title in Sweden and a run to the final in Hangzhou. Griekspoor’s form has been similarly patchy, just four wins from his last eleven matches, though three wins in Canada helped drag his ranking back toward the top 50, and he’s already beaten both Bublik and then-world No. 3 Zverev at some point this season.
The two have met four times, and Rublev leads the head-to-head 3-1, though the most recent meeting went the other way, Griekspoor winning 7-5, 7-6(6) at the Dubai semifinal back in February.
Predictions
A tough match to predict, two players that has not showed much consistency. Rublev is currently favorite among bookies but will he show some fatigue after his very recent run in Hangzhou? Griekspoor’s big serve and flat forehand have given Rublev trouble before so an upset is not impossible at all. However, I think we’ll see three sets and I predict the Russian will fight to edge it in the end.
My bet: Rublev to win in three sets
Learner Tien vs Hubert Hurkacz
Tien, the 7th seed, comes in off a loss to Zverev in Laver Cup round robin play, 7-6(3), 6-4, but he carries real momentum into the Asian swing after his breakout summer on North American hard courts.
Hurkacz has almost no time to reset, having lost the Chengdu final to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina just a day earlier, 6-4, 7-6(7). That’s about as short a turnaround as it gets between tournaments.
This is a first meeting between the two.
Predictions
Hurkacz’s level has clearly been good enough to reach a final this week, but the travel and lack of recovery time after a tight three-setter less than 24 hours ago is a real obstacle. Tien should have the fresher legs and he enters this match as odds favorite. On these slow courts I think he will handle Hurkacz weapons quite well, his returns will be important. The American’s movement looks great recently and he should progress from the first round here in Beijing.
My bet: Tien to win in straight sets
