Eva Lys suffered another difficult moment in Beijing on Wednesday, retiring from her first-round match at the China Open while in tears. The German was forced to stop with a foot injury while trailing 6-1, 3-0 against 16-year-old Chinese wildcard Xinran Sun, bringing an abrupt end to a match that had already been heavily dominated by the teenager.
Lys, ranked No. 102 in the world, had been facing a player ranked almost 500 places below her in the WTA rankings. Sun entered the tournament at No. 582 and was making her first appearance in a WTA main draw, but the teenager quickly showed that the occasion was not going to overwhelm her.
The Chinese youngster won the opening nine games of the match after Lys initially broke serve. Sun then closed out the first set 6-1 and moved 3-0 ahead in the second before Lys could no longer continue. The German had been visibly hampered by the foot problem and eventually made the decision to retire.
For Lys, the retirement adds to a difficult period on the WTA Tour. The German has not managed to win two consecutive matches at WTA level since the Tokyo tournament in 2025, making her latest appearance another frustrating chapter as she continues to search for consistency.
Lys forced to retire as Sun makes WTA debut
The match represented a significant milestone for Sun, who was competing in the main draw of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time. The 16-year-old received a wildcard after an impressive junior season and arrived in Beijing fresh from winning the US Open girls' singles title in September.
Sun has been one of the leading players in her age group throughout 2026. She reached three junior Grand Slam finals this season, winning the US Open after previously finishing runner-up at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Eva Lys of Germany reacts with clenched fist, celebrates the win of the Point against Paula Badosa of Spain during the 49. Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Stuttgart
Her US Open triumph came against Ana Puskareva, with Sun recovering from losing the second set to win the final 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. Those results had already established her as one of the most prominent young players in the junior game, but Beijing offered her the first opportunity to test herself against established professionals.
Sun has trained in Belgrade since she was 10 years old, developing her game away from China while building a reputation as one of the country's most promising prospects. Her first WTA match ultimately proved far more straightforward than expected as Lys' physical problems limited the contest.
This level from Sun Xinran against Eva Lys is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/2GWDJF1D6Y
— Saoirse Mulrane (@SaoirseMulrane) October 1, 2026
Sun moves on after unexpected breakthrough
Sun had already acknowledged the difference between junior and professional tennis before making her debut, particularly in terms of the physical demands and technical level. The teenager now has her first WTA victory and an opportunity to gain further experience against another established player.
“The players are much stronger and everything is better, their technique is better. I think I need to improve my strength, and I can learn a lot at this tournament.”
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Her reward is a second-round meeting with world No. 35 Cristina Bucsa, giving Sun another significant test after an unexpected opening-round victory. Unlike her first match, however, she will now enter the court with the knowledge that she has already handled the transition to the WTA level once.
For Lys, the focus will instead turn to her recovery from the foot injury and another attempt to halt a difficult run of results. The German was unable to finish her opening match in Beijing, while Sun walked away with the biggest professional win of her young career.
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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