A rare tennis quirk: David Goffin and Arthur Rinderknech clash twice in China Open

Friday, 26 September 2025 at 19:05

An extraordinary scheduling twist unfolded at the China Open when David Goffin and Arthur Rinderknech met for the second time in only two days—and within the same tournament. Remarkably, Goffin won their initial match, but just 48 hours later, he was eliminated by his French colleague, who now remains in the competition for the Round of 16 on Saturday. How did this rare rematch occur?

Both Rinderknech and Goffin competed in the qualifying rounds to secure a spot in the China Open main draw. It was the decisive qualifying match, and the former world No. 7 put on an imposing performance to take the victory 6-3, 6-2, earning five breaks while only conceding his service twice.

Goffin won his spot in the main draw and was drawn to face Argentina's Tomás Martín Etcheverry (No. 55). However, the South American was unable to recover from a muscle injury that had forced him to retire during his quarterfinal match at the Hangzhou Open.

Etcheverry's spot was freed up, and the highest-ranked qualifier who had lost—a "lucky loser"—would take the spot. That player was Rinderknech (No. 54). This guaranteed a rematch with Goffin just two days later, though this time in the main draw. The result? A victory for the Frenchman, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, earning revenge and advancing to the Round of 16 of the ATP 500, where he will face the 3rd seed, Alex de Minaur.

Match Statistics Goffin vs. Rinderknech

Goffin	VS	Rinderknech
	Service
9	Aces	12
3	Double Faults	3
59% (44/75)	1st Service Percentage	52% (52/100)
80% (35/44)	1st Service Points Won	73% (38/52)
58% (18/31)	2nd Service Points Won	54% (26/48)
25% (1/4)	Break Points Saved	78% (7/9)
80% (12/15)	Service Games	86% (12/14)
	Return
27% (14/52)	1st Return Points Won	20% (9/44)
46% (22/48)	2nd Return Points Won	42% (13/31)
	Other
2h 29m	Match Duration	2h 29m

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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