In a thrilling display of resilience, China's Zheng Qinwen overcame a daunting deficit to defeat Madison Keys and secure her spot in the round of 16 at the US Open. The Olympic champion showcased her fighting spirit by winning the final seven games of the match, ultimately triumphing with a scoreline of 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.
The match, held on Saturday, saw Zheng battling not only the formidable Keys but also a crowd that was heavily in favor of the American player. This victory is particularly significant for Zheng, who is making a comeback after undergoing elbow surgery last year, which had severely impacted her ranking and playing schedule.
Once ranked as high as fourth in the world, Zheng faced the challenge of qualifying for the US Open main draw, a testament to the difficulties she has encountered in her recovery. The 23-year-old expressed the emotional weight of her journey, admitting that she felt as though she had forgotten how to compete during her time away from the court. However, her recent performances suggest that she is regaining her competitive edge.
"I have a lot of emotions when I’m playing the qualie matches," Zheng reflected. "I was even crying after I won the third match reaching to the main draw, and you know, main draw is just the beginning." Her determination was evident as she fought back from a 0-5 deficit in the second set, where her initial thought was simply to avoid a 6-0 loss.
After securing her first game, Zheng saved a match point at 1-5 in the second set, igniting a remarkable turnaround. "Then I felt I have a lot of energy. I can just keep pushing, keep fighting," she stated, highlighting her newfound confidence as the match progressed.
Despite her limited match experience this year, Zheng managed to adapt to Keys's powerful forehand, noting a shift in Keys's performance as the match wore on. "I see there is some maybe doubt or, I don’t know, not as clean hitting as before," Zheng observed, recognizing the shift in momentum that allowed her to capitalize on her opponent's mistakes.
Keys, who initially built a strong lead, admitted to feeling overwhelmed as the match progressed. "I got really scared, like I couldn’t swing ... I felt like I couldn’t play tennis anymore," she said, reflecting on her inability to maintain her early dominance.
Zheng's victory serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis, where matches can shift dramatically in a matter of moments. "Tennis sometimes feels like a rollercoaster," she remarked, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus throughout the match, regardless of the scoreline.
As Zheng moves forward in the US Open, her comeback story is one of perseverance and determination, inspiring many as she continues her quest for success on the grand stage.
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