Zheng Qinwen delivered a stunning performance at the US Open by overcoming a significant deficit to defeat Iga Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, with a 7-5, 6-3 victory, earning her a spot in the quarter-finals. Swiatek initially seemed to have the match in hand, swiftly securing a 5-0 advantage in the first set. However, Zheng turned the tide with an impressive streak, capturing seven consecutive games to claim the set. Her momentum carried into the second set, where she sealed what is considered one of the most significant triumphs of her career.
This remarkable win mirrored Zheng’s previous round against Madison Keys, where she executed a similar comeback. In that match, Keys was leading 5-0 in the deciding set before Zheng again clinched seven straight games to advance. Entering the tournament, Zheng faced challenges with her form due to an elbow injury and subsequent surgery, which had dropped her ranking to No. 160 earlier in the year. She also navigated the tournament from the qualifying rounds.
The 23-year-old athlete, who previously secured Olympic gold in Paris and was a finalist at the 2024 Australian Open, has now achieved seven consecutive victories in New York. This string of successes is cementing her status as a formidable contender in the competition.
In the quarter-finals, Zheng is set to compete against second seed Elena Rybakina. Rybakina earned her place in the last eight with a decisive 6-1, 6-4 win over Naomi Osaka, a two-time US Open champion. Throughout the match, Rybakina showcased her dominance with powerful, precise play, tallying 29 winners in just 66 minutes. Meanwhile, Osaka struggled, hampered by serve issues and Achilles pain.
In other matches, Mirra Andreeva, the fifth seed, reached the US Open quarter-finals for the first time by overcoming Austria’s Anastasia Potapova with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory.