Zheng Qinwen's Quarterfinal Journey at the French Open Ends Against Aryna Sabalenka

Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic tennis gold medalist, competed against the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, during the women's singles quarterfinals at the French Open on June 3, 2025, but unfortunately lost the match with scores of 7-6 (7/3) and 6-3. In this challenging matchup, the 22-year-old Zheng initially broke serve in the first set, showcasing her fighting spirit, but Sabalenka managed to gain control and win the tiebreak. The Belarusian maintained her momentum in the second set, ultimately clinching the victory.

Even though Zheng did not advance, her performance had several bright moments. According to Pan Shouhu, a former coach with the Chinese Tennis Association, Zheng's early play in the first set almost put Sabalenka under significant pressure, indicating her potential to hold her own against top-ranked players in high-pressure contexts. However, the match also highlighted some recurring challenges in Zheng's game, particularly in handling pivotal moments, maintaining serve consistency, and avoiding costly errors that gave her opponent extra opportunities. As Pan remarked, mistakes are especially damaging against a world-class player like Sabalenka.

Zheng's journey to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros marks her best result at this prestigious tournament, making her the second Chinese player to reach this stage since Li Na's triumph in 2011. Following the match, the Roland Garros official account expressed admiration for Zheng's efforts and looked forward to her future performances. Sabalenka remarked on the intensity of the contest, noting her determination to win the elusive French Open title as she prepares for her next semifinal opportunity.

In their past encounters, Sabalenka had won every match against Zheng, including the final at the 2024 Australian Open, although Zheng did manage to beat Sabalenka in Rome earlier in May. Prior to their quarterfinal battle, Zheng expressed confidence in her clay-court performance yet acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by the top seed. Her debut at Roland Garros in 2022 had already shown her competitive edge, as she came close to defeating the eventual champion, Iga Swiatek.

While Zheng may not have reached the semifinals this time around, the variations in her performance against Sabalenka indicate that the gap is closing. Zheng's victory in Rome earlier reflects her potential to overcome this hurdle; the challenge now lies in managing pressure and maintaining focus during crucial moments. Pan pointed out that Zheng appears more mentally resilient than in 2024, as she fought valiantly throughout the match. Her ascent to the fifth position in the world ranking showcases not only her remarkable skill but also her consistent trajectory in the sport.