In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, Zheng Qinwen of China emerged victorious against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3 in the women’s singles final at the Pan Pacific Open held in Tokyo, Japan. This victory marks the fifth title of Zheng's illustrious career.
During the semifinals on Saturday, Zheng showcased her prowess by defeating the No. 6 seed Diana Shnaider of Russia with the same scoreline, setting the stage for an intense final match. Kenin, entering the tournament as a wildcard, made headlines by upsetting three seeded players: No. 10 Wang Xinyu of China, No. 3 Daria Kasatkina of Russia, and No. 9 Katie Boulter of Britain. Notably, Kenin had previously won the Australian Open in 2020 and reached a career-high ranking of No. 4.
The final match faced interruptions as the first set was suspended twice due to rain before the roof of the Ariake Coliseum was closed. Both players demonstrated remarkable consistency, holding their first six service games each to push the set into a tiebreak. Despite Zheng earning multiple break points, she converted the decisive ones to take the first set.
Leading 1-0 in the match, Zheng maintained her momentum into the second set. She broke Kenin's serve early and extended her lead with powerful aces, culminating in a championship point during the ninth game. Kenin fought valiantly but ultimately hit the ball out of bounds, handing Zheng the well-deserved title.
Zheng’s impressive performance, marked by 85% first serve accuracy in the first set and strategic play in the second, underscores her rising status in the tennis world. Fans and enthusiasts around the globe are sure to keep an eye on her as she continues to make significant strides in her career.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
