In a dramatic display of perseverance, Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen turned a 5-0 deficit in the third set into a stunning victory over No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek at the U.S. Open on Monday. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist won 7-5, 6-3, securing a place in the quarterfinals and marking the first time a qualifier has reached the final eight at Flushing Meadows since Emma Raducanu’s championship in 2021.
Back‑to‑Back Comebacks
Just two days earlier, Zheng survived a similar situation against No. 22 Madison Keys. After dropping the first set 1-6 and falling behind 5-0 in the third, she rallied to win the final seven games, prevailing 7-6 (3), 7-5. “I guess to come back 0-5 yesterday is not lucky, that’s all I can say,” Zheng said after the match.
Swiatek’s Challenge
Swiatek, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, struggled to close out the first set, missing two set points while serving at 5-1. She also failed to convert a set point at 5-3 in the second set. Despite receiving treatment on her left thigh in the second set, Swiatek maintained that the injury had little impact on the outcome. “I wouldn’t say it had anything to do with mentality,” she explained, adding that she simply made unforced errors on easy balls.
Historical Context
Zheng’s run is notable for several reasons. She was a quarterfinalist at the U.S. Open in both 2023 and 2024, but an elbow surgery forced her to battle through qualifying this year. Her victory over Swiatek ends a 25‑match winning streak the Polish star had built at Roland Garros, where she has claimed four French Open titles.
Swiatek entered the match with a 7‑1 head‑to‑head record against Zheng, the only previous loss coming in the 2022 Olympic semifinals in Paris, where Zheng rallied from a 4‑0 deficit in the second set to halt Swiatek’s momentum.
Quarterfinal Outlook
In the upcoming quarterfinal, Zheng will face either two‑time champion Naomi Osaka or No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina. The draw also features French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, who advanced after a three‑set win over No. 24 Anastasia Potapova, and a potential showdown between No. 4 Coco Gauff and No. 14 Iva Jovic.
American men’s hopes remain high as top‑seed Alexander Zverev, No. 14 Learner Tien, and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz all advanced to the quarterfinals, joining Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex Michelsen.
What This Means for Fans
Zheng’s tenacity exemplifies the spirit of competition that resonates with families and communities across the nation. Her ability to stay focused on each point, even forgetting the score at times, underscores the importance of perseverance and mental fortitude—values that align with the strong family and faith traditions cherished by many of our readers.
As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches that showcase the best of international tennis while highlighting the remarkable achievements of young athletes who embody dedication, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
