On Monday, Zheng Qinwen demonstrated her determination in the opening round of the US Open, recovering from a difficult beginning to secure a victory against Amanda Anisimova. The 21-year-old athlete from China, who won an Olympic gold medal, showcased her skills on serve and managed to turn the match around, ultimately winning with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Despite facing challenges, including being broken four times in the first set, Zheng completed the match in a little over two hours. She revealed that she struggled initially against Anisimova's strong play but found her rhythm as the match progressed, allowing her to increase her serve efficiency and confidence in her shots.
Anisimova had a strong start, gaining a 5-1 lead and taking the first set after enduring some tense moments when Zheng came back to break her serve. However, Zheng's performance improved significantly in the second set, where she delivered four aces and secured crucial breaks, allowing her to take control of the match.
By the deciding set, Zheng established a commanding 3-0 lead and maintained her composure despite Anisimova's distractions due to injuries. Reflecting on her match, Zheng acknowledged that she usually struggles with maintaining focus after significant successes, yet she expressed her commitment to staying humble and dedicated as she progresses through the tournament.
Having recently made history as the first Asian player to win a singles Olympic gold medal, Zheng is focused on her current performance rather than past achievements. Her next challenge will be against Russian player Erika Andreeva, as she aims to continue her tournament journey while balancing her ambitions with a stable mindset.
8 Comments
lettlelenok
Impressive win! Her ability to adapt and improve her game mid-match is what champions do.
dedus mopedus
Zheng really struggled in that first set; it just shows she isn't as strong mentally as we thought.
ytkonos
Her serve definitely needs improvement; relying on a few aces isn't enough for serious competition.
Muchacho
Zheng needs to find a way to better handle distractions. She won't win with such instability.
Africa
She displayed such mental strength and skill; it’s amazing to witness her growth as a player.
Michelangelo
Great, she won this time, but I’m not convinced she’ll get past the next round. So much uncertainty.
Donatello
I’m not impressed; the way she started made it seem like she didn’t belong in the tournament.
Leonardo
Can she really handle the pressure of the US Open? Those beginning moments were shaky.