Zheng Qinwen of the Chinese mainland experienced a day of highs and lows at the Cincinnati Open, navigating both victory and defeat amidst challenging circumstances.
On Friday, Zheng had to compete in two women’s singles matches due to heavy rainfall disrupting the tournament schedule. Her first match saw her face Magdalena Frech of Poland, where she showcased her baseline prowess to secure a decisive 6-1, 7-5 win. Zheng’s aggressive play from the baseline allowed her to dominate the first set, clinching it in just 32 minutes.
In the second set against Frech, the competition intensified. Zheng managed to break her opponent’s serve in the ninth game and confidently started her own service game with a powerful ace, leading to a narrow victory. However, the relentless rain eventually suspended the match, forcing the rescheduling of her next encounter.
Despite her impressive performance, Zheng faced a tough challenge in her second match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia. Battling a fever since her arrival in the United States, Zheng was not in her best form, resulting in a 7-5, 6-1 loss. This defeat marked an unexpected turn in her first tournament following her gold medal triumph at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Zheng’s resilience and determination were on display as she navigated the demanding schedule and adverse weather conditions. As she continues her journey on the professional circuit, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how she overcomes these early hurdles to reclaim her top form.
Reference(s):
China's Zheng Qinwen wins and then loses in one day at Cincinnati Open
cgtn.com
