In a stunning display of resilience, Zheng Qinwen staged another remarkable comeback at the US Open, defeating the formidable Iga Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam winner, with a score of 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals. Initially, Swiatek seemed to dominate the proceedings, securing a commanding 5-0 lead in the first set. Nonetheless, Zheng turned the tide dramatically, clinching seven consecutive games to capture the set. She sustained her momentum into the second set, securing one of the most significant triumphs of her career.
This victory is particularly noteworthy given Zheng’s similar comeback against Madison Keys in the previous round, where she also overturned a 5-0 deficit in the deciding set to win seven straight games. Zheng’s journey at the US Open has been remarkable, considering she entered the tournament grappling with inconsistency due to an elbow injury and surgery that had dropped her ranking to as low as No. 160 earlier this year. Her resilience saw her fight through the qualifying rounds to secure her place in the main draw.
The 23-year-old athlete, who has already claimed Olympic gold in Paris and reached the finals of the 2024 Australian Open, has now achieved seven consecutive wins in New York, reasserting herself as a formidable contender in the tournament. Her next challenge will be against second seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. Rybakina secured her spot in the last eight with a decisive 6-1, 6-4 victory over Naomi Osaka, a two-time US Open champion.
Rybakina impressed with her powerful and consistent play, delivering 29 winners in just 66 minutes. Meanwhile, Osaka struggled throughout the match, with her serve faltering and her performance hampered by Achilles pain. Rybakina’s formidable display sets up an intriguing clash with Zheng, as both players look to continue their impressive runs in the tournament.
Elsewhere in the tournament, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva reached the US Open quarter-finals for the first time. She triumphed over Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in a hard-fought match, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Andreeva’s victory adds to the excitement of the quarter-finals, as the competition intensifies among the remaining contenders.
