World No. 90 Caty McNally is set to take on World No. 53 Laura Siegemund in the opening round of the 2025 China Open in Beijing. This much-anticipated match, scheduled for September 24, marks McNally’s debut appearance at the China Open, while Siegemund is competing in the tournament for the fourth time.
Caty McNally is riding a wave of success this season, boasting an impressive 42 victories across various levels with just 17 losses. She has secured two titles this year, one on the ITF circuit and another at the WTA 125K event in Newport Beach. McNally’s solid performance on hard courts stands at 17-8 for the season, and her recent stint at the Asian tournament in Seoul saw her advance through the qualifiers without dropping a set, although she was narrowly defeated in a three-set match by Diana Shnaider.
Laura Siegemund, who is ranked 53rd, has experienced a balanced season with 20 wins and 20 losses. Her most notable achievement this year was reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, where she defeated notable players such as Leylah Fernandez and Madison Keys. Siegemund’s performance at the US Open saw her advance to the third round, which added to her respectable outcomes this year. Despite losing in the first round to Sofia Kenin in Seoul recently, Siegemund’s experience and skill on the court make her a formidable opponent.
The upcoming match will be the second encounter between McNally and Siegemund, with their previous meeting occurring five years ago in Auckland, where Siegemund emerged victorious. However, McNally has grown considerably since then, gaining valuable experience and showcasing improved performance on the tour.
With McNally’s current form and her ability to challenge top players, she enters the match with a strong chance to claim victory. Her recent performances indicate that she has honed her skills and could overcome Siegemund’s strengths, especially given her improved strategic play. This match promises to be an exciting clash of talent and strategy as both players vie for advancement in the prestigious Beijing tournament.