Zheng Qinwen demonstrated remarkable resilience at the US Open by overcoming six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek with a score of 7-5, 6-3, securing her spot in the quarter-finals. Swiatek initially seemed dominant, sprinting to a 5-0 lead in the first set. However, Zheng flipped the match’s momentum by winning seven consecutive games to clinch the set. She sustained her spirited performance into the second set, marking one of the most significant victories of her career.
The match against Swiatek wasn’t the first time Zheng showcased her fighting spirit in this tournament. In the previous round, she executed a similar comeback against Madison Keys, who also led 5-0 in the deciding set before Zheng mounted an impressive seven-game winning streak. Such performances are particularly noteworthy given Zheng’s earlier struggles this year with an elbow injury and surgery that saw her ranking plummet to No. 160. Starting the tournament from the qualifying rounds, the 23-year-old is reestablishing herself as a formidable contender, especially after her Olympic gold in Paris and reaching the Australian Open final in 2024.
Next, Zheng will face the challenge of second seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. Rybakina advanced with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 win against Naomi Osaka, a two-time US Open champion. Rybakina’s match was characterized by her powerful and precise play, amassing 29 winners in just 66 minutes. Meanwhile, Osaka faced difficulties with her serve and was hampered by Achilles pain.
In other matches, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva made her way to the US Open quarter-finals for the first time, overcoming Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in a three-set battle, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. This development adds further intrigue to the unfolding drama at the tournament, with several players showcasing exceptional levels of competition and resilience.