CHINESE teenage Qinwen Zheng continued her remarkable run in Melbourne to reach a quarter final at the event. In what was only her fifth main draw match of her career – she made her WTA Tour main draw debut in Palermo last July – she was able to get past the always tough Vera Zvonareva in three sets. Having just turned 19 last October, Qinwen is rising star from China who sits just inside the Top 150.
In her latest win, Qinwen defeated Zvonareva 5-7 6-3 6-4 to advance through to the final eight where she takes on Croatia’s Ana Konjuh. The quarter finals win backed up her 4-6 6-2 6-3 come-from-behind win over Japan’s Mai Hontama in the Round of 32. The success is the first time she has won back-to-back wins on the WTA Tour, having only won qualifying matches in succession before. She did win three ITF tournaments last season, making it a total of seven for her career since she started in 2020.
Remarkably, the Chinese teenager sports rare power, producing 13 aces in her win over Zvonareva, and winning 80 per cent of her first serve points. She broke five times to four which was crucial in the end, and whilst se was inconsistent at times, certainly caught the eye with her power. Zvonareva is a former world number one and two-time Grand Slam finalist, and whilst she is now 37-years-old, is still crafty.
Though Konjuh is in great form and Zheng is unlikely to have enough consistency to beat her, the Chinese young gun is one to watch given her obvious weapons on her forehand, serve and court coverage.
ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL
WTA 500:
[5] Iga Swiatek (POL) defeated Leylah Fernandez (CAN) 6-1 6-2
[6] Sofia Kenin (USA) defeated Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 3-6 7-6 6-3
Misaki Doi (JPN) defeated Anastasia Gasanova (RUS) 7-6 6-3
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) defeated Priscilla Hon (AUS) 6-3 7-5
ATP 250:
[1] Gael Monfils (FRA) defeated Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG) 6-2 6-1
[2] Karen Khachanov (RUS) defeated Steve Johnson (USA) 6-4 4-6 6-2
[6] Tommy Paul (USA) defeated [Q] Taro Daniel (JPN) 6-4 6-7 6-4
[Q] Egor Gerasimov (BLR) defeated Gianluca Mager (ITA) 6-1 3-6 6-3
MATCHES TO WATCH TODAY: QUARTER FINALS
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) vs. [6] Sofia Kenin (USA)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) vs. [5] Iga Swiatek (POL)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) vs. Mikael Ymer (SWE)
[1] Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. [6] Tommy Paul (USA)
MELBOURNE SUMMER SET
WTA 250 (1):
[1] Naomi Osaka (JPN) defeated Maryna Zanevska (BEL) 6-1 6-1
[2] Simona Halep (ROU) defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU) 6-2 6-1
[3] Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) defeated Madison Brengle (USA) 6-0 3-6 7-5
[6] Viktorija Golubic (SUI) defeated Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove (NED) 6-3 6-0
Andrea Petkovic (GER) defeated Clara Burel (FRA) 7-5 2-6 6-4
Anastasia Potapova (RUS) defeated Anna Bondar (HUN) 6-4 6-7 7-5
Ana Konjuh (CRO) defeated Kaia Kanepi (EST) 6-2 3-6 6-3
Qinwen Zheng (CHN) defeated Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 5-7 6-3 6-4
WTA 250 (2):
[3] Daria Kasatkina (RUS) defeated Madison Keys (USA) 6-1 6-0
Kamilla Rakhimova (RUS) defeated [4] Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 7-6 6-4
Amanda Anisimova (USA) defeated [5] Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 6-4 6-1
Nuria Parrizas Diaz (ESP) defeated Claire Liu (USA) 3-6 7-5 6-1
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) defeated Jasmine Paolini (ITA) 3-6 6-2 6-3
ATP 250:
[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated [Q] Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 6-2 7-5
[3] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) defeated Facundo Bagnis (ARG) 5-7 7-6 6-3
Alex Molcan (SVK) defeated [4] David Goffin (BEL) 7-5 6-3
Tallon Griekspoor (NED) defeated Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 6-3 4-6 6-3
Jaume Munar (ESP) defeated [LL] Henri Laaksonen (SUI) 6-1 7-5
Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) defeated Jordan Thompson (AUS) 7-6 5-7 6-3
MATCHES TO WATCH TODAY: QUARTER FINALS
[1] Rafael Nadal [ESP] vs. Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
Alex Molcan (SVK) vs. Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN)
[6] Viktorija Golubic (SUI) vs. [2] Simona Halep (ROU)
Ana Konjuh (CRO) vs. Qinwen Zheng (CHN)
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