Zheng Qinwen Stages Remarkable Comeback to Defeat Iga Swiatek at US Open

Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, who entered the US Open through qualifying rounds, delivered a stunning performance to defeat six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 and advance to the quarterfinals on Monday. The victory marked another impressive comeback for the Chinese player, who was ranked 121st following elbow surgery last year and had previously been a world number four.

Zheng’s resilience was on full display as she overcame a 5-0 deficit in the first set against Swiatek, rallying to win seven consecutive games. This mirrored her previous match, where she also recovered from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Madison Keys. In the second set, Zheng broke Swiatek’s serve twice to secure the win over the player she had beaten in the Olympic gold medal match in Paris two years ago.

Reflecting on the match, Zheng acknowledged a slow start that allowed Swiatek to build an early lead. She explained that once she found her rhythm, she began playing more freely, which was key to her comeback. Zheng described being so focused during the match that she momentarily lost track of the score, illustrating her intense concentration on each point. She also saved three set points in the opening set, demonstrating her mental toughness.

Zheng’s progress to the fourth round made her the first qualifier to reach this stage at the US Open since Emma Raducanu, who famously won the tournament in 2021. Her next opponent will be world number two Elena Rybakina, who recently defeated two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4. Rybakina holds a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over Zheng and has won their two meetings this year. Additionally, Rybakina is poised to become world number one if she reaches the semifinals.

Despite her recent struggles and ranking drop, Zheng remains determined to return to the top 10. She admitted that accepting the decline was psychologically challenging, especially given her previous status as an Olympic champion and top-ranked player. Zheng described the recovery process as difficult and painful, with each loss testing her resolve.

Swiatek, visibly emotional after the match, left the court in tears following another disappointing Grand Slam exit. The 25-year-old Polish player had won Wimbledon last year but has since experienced earlier departures in major tournaments, including a quarterfinal loss at the Australian Open, a fourth-round exit at Roland Garros, and a third-round defeat while defending her Wimbledon title.

Swiatek attributed her loss to poor timing and difficulty hitting the ball effectively. She suggested that playing more conservatively might have helped but felt constrained by Zheng’s aggressive play. This defeat marks a challenging period for Swiatek, who had entered the US Open in strong form, having recently won the WTA 1000 event in Toronto and reached the semifinals in Cincinnati without dropping a set.