In a riveting display of skill and resilience, Zheng Qinwen from the Chinese mainland surged into the BNP Paribas Open women’s singles quarterfinals with a decisive 6–3, 6–2 victory over Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine. The eighth-seeded star delivered an impressive performance in just 80 minutes, outsmarting an opponent known for her aggressive play.
After a challenging start to her season, marked by injury concerns and adjustments in coaching, Zheng’s reunion with her Spanish mentor Pere Riba has ignited a fresh focus on court execution. "I needed to balance controlled aggression today," she noted, emphasizing that while Kostyuk pressed with intensity, her unforced errors helped pave the way for Zheng’s advancement.
Looking ahead, Zheng now prepares to face a formidable challenge in the quarterfinals against World No. 2 and four-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek of Poland. Their upcoming match, the eighth encounter between the two, carries extra significance given Zheng’s memorable victory over Swiatek in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Meanwhile, the action at Indian Wells extends to the doubles court as well. Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai and her partner Hsieh Su-wei of Chinese Taipei advanced to the semifinals with a straight-sets win, adding another highlight to a tournament full of thrilling moments.
This impressive run at one of the WTA 1,000 level events not only spotlights Zheng’s rising talent but also promises more high-octane matches that will captivate tennis fans around the world.
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Zheng Qinwen set to face Iga Swiatek in BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals
cgtn.com
