Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen advanced to the quarter-finals of the US Open after a strong showing in both the qualifying rounds and main draw, signaling a significant comeback following a lengthy recovery from elbow surgery last year. Although she was ultimately defeated by world number two Elena Rybakina in three sets on Wednesday, Zheng viewed her performance in New York as a positive step forward in regaining her competitive form.
Once ranked as high as world number four, Zheng’s ranking had fallen to 121st, requiring her to navigate three rounds of qualifying to enter the tournament. Despite the challenges, she credited the experience with helping her rediscover her rhythm and sharpen her competitive edge. “I think the good thing is I know how to compete better than the beginning of the year,” Zheng said, reflecting on her progress.
Her journey to the quarter-finals included notable victories over former Australian Open champion Madison Keys and six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek. Zheng’s win against Keys was marked by a remarkable comeback in which she overcame a 5-0 deficit in the final set, eventually prevailing 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 after saving a match point. Following that, she produced another impressive sequence of seven consecutive games in the first set to defeat Swiatek 7-5, 6-3.
Zheng acknowledged the lessons learned from her matches amid the tournament, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and continual improvement. “Tennis gives me a lesson all the time that as long as the match is not over, you just have to keep fighting,” she said. Despite her loss to Rybakina, she identified specific areas for growth, including decision-making during critical points and physical endurance.
With her ranking projected to rise to inside the top 60 after the US Open, Zheng is preparing for the upcoming Asian swing of the WTA Tour. The segment includes four events in China, highlighted by two 1000-level tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan. Playing on home soil provides both motivation and pressure, according to Zheng, who expressed excitement about competing in front of local supporters.
“Playing at home always I’m more motivated, and also at the same time carry on some pressure because I really want to do well there,” she said. Her focus remains on steady progress, with an emphasis on daily training and taking matches one at a time in pursuit of regaining her top form.