Zheng Qinwen staged an impressive comeback at the US Open, defeating Iga Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, with a score of 7-5, 6-3, to advance to the quarter-finals. Swiatek initially took control, surging to a 5-0 lead in the first set. However, Zheng shifted the momentum dramatically, winning seven consecutive games to claim the set. Her momentum continued into the second set, securing one of the most significant victories of her career.
This victory is particularly notable considering Zheng’s similar comeback in the previous round against Madison Keys. In that match, Keys also led 5-0 in the deciding set before Zheng turned the tables, winning seven games in a row. Zheng’s journey in the tournament began with challenges, as she had been struggling with consistency due to an elbow injury and a subsequent surgery that dropped her ranking to No. 160 earlier in the year. She was also required to start her US Open run through qualifying rounds.
The 23-year-old, who has already achieved significant milestones such as winning Olympic gold in Paris and reaching the final of the 2024 Australian Open, has now secured seven victories in New York. Her performance is positioning her as a formidable contender in the tournament. Zheng is set to face second seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. Rybakina earned her spot in the last eight with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 win over two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka.
Rybakina’s dominance in her match was evident as she delivered powerful and consistent tennis, producing 29 winners in just 66 minutes. Osaka struggled with her serve and was visibly affected by Achilles pain throughout the match. Meanwhile, in other matches, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva reached her first US Open quarter-final after overcoming Austria’s Anastasia Potapova with scores of 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.