China's reigning Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen made history at the Charleston Open by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in her career. In a thrilling three‐set match against Belgium's Elise Mertens, Zheng secured her 13th consecutive victory on clay.
From the opening serve, Zheng showcased her aggressive style with a stunning backhand that set the pace for the encounter. She took the first set 6-3 after capitalizing on Mertens' early missteps.
Although Mertens roared back in the second set with commanding volleys to win it 6-0, the decisive third set belonged to Zheng. Her power and resilience forced Mertens into a net error, allowing Zheng to claim the frame 6-3.
Now, Zheng prepares to face ninth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia in the quarterfinals. This breakthrough performance not only marks a major milestone in her career but also inspires young global citizens, sports fans, and change-makers who value determination and emerging talent on the world stage.
Reference(s):
China's Zheng reaches Charleston Open quarterfinals for first time
cgtn.com
