In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, home favorite and No. 5 seed Zheng Qinwen overcame Russia's Mirra Andreeva with a score of 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 in the women's singles quarterfinals at the China Open in Beijing on Friday. This victory marks Zheng's first-ever advancement to the semifinals in a Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournament.
Zheng started the match on the back foot, losing the first four games of the opening set. However, showcasing her tenacity, she quickly rallied by winning the next five games, taking a 5-4 lead. Despite this surge, Andreeva fought back to secure the first set.
Undeterred by the initial setback, Zheng made strategic adjustments to her gameplay, enhancing both her offensive and defensive tactics. Her improved performance allowed her to dominate the second set, winning it decisively without dropping a single game.
The final set saw Andreeva displaying strong defensive skills and converting two crucial break points to take a 4-2 lead. Not ready to concede, Zheng responded by regaining her footing, closing the gap to 5-4 after the ninth game. Holding serve in the final game, she clinched the match, embodying the fighting spirit of \"Queen Wen.\"
With this remarkable achievement, Zheng Qinwen not only advances further in the tournament but also establishes herself as a formidable contender in the WTA circuit.
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen rallies to beat Andreeva, reach China Open semifinals
cgtn.com
