Zheng Qinwen orchestrated a stunning comeback at the US Open, triumphing over six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek with a score of 7-5, 6-3 to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Initially, Swiatek seemed to have the match under control, quickly establishing a 5-0 lead in the first set. However, Zheng shifted the momentum dramatically, capturing seven consecutive games to claim the set. She continued to play with remarkable intensity in the second set, sealing what is arguably one of the most significant victories of her career.
This remarkable win follows a similar pattern to her previous match against Madison Keys, where Zheng also mounted a comeback from a 5-0 deficit in the deciding set to win seven games in succession. Her performance is all the more impressive considering the challenges she faced earlier in the year, including an elbow injury and surgery that saw her ranking plummet to No. 160. Despite these setbacks, the 23-year-old, who previously clinched Olympic gold in Paris and reached the Australian Open final in 2024, has shown resilience and skill, winning seven matches in New York and positioning herself as a formidable contender.
In the upcoming quarter-finals, Zheng is set to face second seed Elena Rybakina. Rybakina advanced to the last eight after a commanding 6-1, 6-4 win over Naomi Osaka, a two-time US Open champion. In their match, Rybakina displayed powerful and consistent tennis, racking up 29 winners in just 66 minutes. Osaka, on the other hand, struggled with her serve and was hampered by Achilles pain, which contributed to her defeat.
Meanwhile, the US Open has witnessed another significant development as fifth seed Mirra Andreeva reached the quarter-finals for the first time. Andreeva achieved this milestone by overcoming Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in a challenging three-set match, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Her progress adds another layer of intrigue to the tournament as the competition intensifies.