Zheng Qinwen, a rising star in Chinese tennis, achieved a significant milestone by defeating the top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets during the WTA 1000 Italian Open, securing her place in the semifinals for the third time in her career. This match marked an important personal victory for Zheng, as it was her first win over Sabalenka, who had previously bested her in all six encounters. Interestingly, it was also their first time competing on clay.
In the first set, both players showed strong serves, with the score at 2-1 in favor of Sabalenka early on. However, Zheng saved two critical break points in the fourth game to retain her serve and then managed to break Sabalenka without conceding a point in the fifth game. After exchanging service games, Zheng took the lead at 5-4 and ultimately closed the set with a score of 6-4, powered by two aces in the tenth game.
As the second set commenced, Zheng maintained her momentum by breaking Sabalenka’s serve right away and then quickly won the subsequent game. Holding a 4-2 lead, she continued to play confidently, even as Sabalenka fought back in the seventh game by saving multiple break points. Nonetheless, Zheng remained focused and clinched the match with a score of 6-3, solidifying her victory.
Reflecting on her performance, Zheng expressed satisfaction in her ability to thrive during intense moments, noting that she excels in rallies extending to three or four shots. She revealed that in prior encounters with Sabalenka, she struggled to perform at her best due to the weight of Sabalenka's top-ranking achievements and her own admiration for her competitor. However, Zheng explained that by shifting her perspective and eliminating the “halo” effect surrounding Sabalenka, she was able to recognize and exploit her opponent's vulnerabilities.
Looking ahead, Zheng is set to face off against American player Coco Gauff, currently ranked third in the world. Gauff has been in impressive form on clay, having recently overcome Mirra Andreeva in her quarterfinal match.
5 Comments
Donatello
One win doesn't erase the past six losses. Let's see how Zheng does consistently.
Michelangelo
She can win in a semi-final? Cool. Then how does she do the final?
Raphael
The headline exaggerated the difficulty of the competition - she was just matched up against the player.
Donatello
Breaking Sabalenka's serve early doesn't necessarily mean victory...
Raphael
This is a breakthrough performance! So excited for Zheng's future!