Qinwen Zheng wanted to dig deep Monday. After trailing 0-5 within the first set to Iga Swiatek, Zheng discovered the energy — once more — to rally all the way in which again and choose up an enormous, upset win over the No. 8 ranked participant.
Zheng knocked off Swiatek in straight units (7-5, 6-3) to advance to the quarterfinals on the U.S. Open.
Issues seemed extraordinarily promising from Swiatek early. After 5 video games, she led 5-0 and seemed poised to make fast work of the a lot, a lot lower-ranked Zheng. However being down 5-0 in a set is seemingly when Zheng performs her greatest tennis.
For the second-straight match — and in her second-straight set — Zheng someway rallied from 5-0 to win the subsequent seven video games and really steal the win from Swiatek.
From 5-0 right down to profitable the set 7-5… AGAIN 🤯
Qinwen Zheng takes the primary set towards Iga Swiatek after profitable 7 consecutive video games 🇨🇳nJ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 6
Zheng pulled off the very same comeback in her third set vs. Madison Keys on Saturday, rallying from down 0-5 to come back again and win that set — and match — 7-5.
Zheng Qinwen's final two units:
0-5 to 7-5 within the third set vs Madison Keys
0-5 to 7-5 within the first set vs Iga SwiatekI can't think about this has ever occurred earlier than at tour stage and positively not towards two *grand slam champions*. What the hell.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) 6
Zheng performed sloppy tennis early, making quite a lot of unforced errors within the first 5 video games towards Swiatek. Within the fifth recreation, Zheng misplaced due to a double fault and two unforced errors.
From there, she began rolling. Zheng was credited with simply two unforced errors over the subsequent seven video games. As an alternative, it was Swiatek who immediately couldn’t land her photographs.
That arrange a possible match-winning alternative to Zheng within the second set. Regardless of having all of the momentum on her aspect, Zheng dropped the primary recreation of the second set to Swiatek, an indication the No. 8 ranked participant wasn’t happening that simply. Zheng, nevertheless, rapidly evened up the set at 1-1 within the subsequent recreation.
Swiatek seemed to be mounting a comeback, taking the third recreation. However earlier than the fourth recreation of the second set started, a coach got here out to check out Swiatek. It was initially unclear what was ailing her.
Iga Swiatek is being seen by the coach throughout her match towards Qinwen Zheng on the U.S. Open.
Hopefully it’s not too severe. ❤️🩹 e
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) 6
Swiatek continued with the match, however rapidly misplaced the subsequent recreation, growing concern a couple of doable harm. However Swiatek took the subsequent recreation, once more night the set.
From that time, nevertheless, Zheng once more discovered her stride, profitable the subsequent three video games to go up 5-3 within the second set. With one other win, she would punch her ticket to the subsequent spherical.
Zheng bought out to a implausible begin within the recreation, taking the primary three factors within the set. Swiatek battled again, however in the end couldn’t maintain Zheng off. Zheng took the set 6-3, profitable the match in straight units.
Coming into the match, Swiatek held a big benefit. She held a 7-1 report vs. Zheng of their head-to-head matchups. Zheng’s solely victory in these eight matches got here on the Paris Olympics in 2024, when Zheng toppled Swiatek in straight units. Zheng rode that victory all the way in which to a gold medal on the occasion.
Regardless of that win, Zheng entered Monday’s match ranked 121st by the WTA. Swiatek got here into the competition because the WTA’s No. 8.
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