In a stunning display of resilience at the US Open, Zheng Qinwen orchestrated an incredible comeback to defeat the formidable Iga Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion. Swiatek initially seemed to have the upper hand, surging to a 5-0 lead in the first set. However, Zheng turned the tide dramatically, clinching seven straight games to snatch the set 7-5. Riding on this momentum, she sustained her high level of play in the second set, securing a 6-3 victory and marking one of the most significant wins in her career.
This remarkable triumph is more impressive given Zheng’s similar comeback against Madison Keys in the previous round. After trailing 0-5 in the deciding set, she again rallied to win seven consecutive games. Zheng’s journey into the tournament came after struggling with inconsistency due to an elbow injury and subsequent surgery, which had previously dropped her ranking to 160. Starting her US Open campaign from the qualifying rounds, the 23-year-old has defied the odds and now stands as a formidable opponent after claiming seven victories in New York.
Adding to her list of achievements, Zheng, who previously clinched Olympic gold in Paris and made it to the 2024 Australian Open final, is emerging as a major force in the tennis world. Her next challenge will be facing the second seed, Elena Rybakina, in the quarter-finals. Rybakina secured her spot in the last eight by decisively defeating two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka with a 6-1, 6-4 scoreline. Overpowering her opponent with 29 winners in just 66 minutes, Rybakina demonstrated her dominant form, while Osaka struggled with her serve and was hindered by Achilles pain.
Meanwhile, the US Open continues to see breakthroughs as fifth seed Mirra Andreeva advances to the quarter-finals for the first time. She achieved this milestone after overcoming Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in a hard-fought match, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. The tournament is shaping up with emerging talents and unexpected comebacks, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.