NEW YORK – In an electrifying display of resilience, Zheng Qinwen staged another remarkable comeback, overcoming a daunting 5-0 deficit for the second consecutive match to secure her place in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist from China triumphed over No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek with a score of 7-5, 6-3, making history as the first qualifier to reach the final eight at Flushing Meadows since Emma Raducanu’s stunning victory in 2021.
Just two days prior, Zheng had pulled off a shocking turnaround against No. 22 Madison Keys, rallying from a 5-0 deficit in the third set to win the match 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5. In her match against Swiatek, she quickly found herself in a similar predicament, having dropped the initial five games against the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“I guess to come back 0-5 yesterday is not lucky, that’s all I can say,” Zheng remarked, reflecting on her mental approach during the match.
Despite Swiatek’s early lead, she was unable to convert two crucial set points while serving at 5-1. Zheng, demonstrating exceptional focus, managed to fend off another set point when Swiatek was ahead 5-3. “I was so focused on each point that I even forgot the score,” Zheng noted, emphasizing her concentration during critical moments of the match.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Zheng, who reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals in both 2023 and 2024. Following elbow surgery, she had to navigate through qualifying rounds to enter the main draw this year. Emma Raducanu’s triumph five years ago as a qualifier remains historic, as she became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era, which began in 1968.
Entering the match, Swiatek held a 7-1 record against Zheng, with her only defeat occurring two years ago in the Olympic semifinals in Paris. Zheng had halted Swiatek’s impressive 25-match winning streak at Roland Garros during that encounter, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
Looking ahead, Zheng is set to face either two-time champion Naomi Osaka or No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, further raising the stakes in her remarkable journey.
In other matches, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva made a comeback to defeat No. 24 Anastasia Potapova with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Andreeva will compete against either No. 4 seed Coco Gauff or No. 14 seed Iva Jovic, who are scheduled to meet later in the night.
Additionally, top-seeded Alexander Zverev was in action on Monday night against No. 21 Luciano Darderi. Meanwhile, No. 14 Learner Tien aimed to contribute to a historic moment for American men in the U.S. Open by attempting to secure a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1995, facing off against Karen Khachanov. Notable American players such as No. 8 Ben Shelton, No. 11 Frances Tiafoe, and Alex Michelsen had already advanced in the tournament, along with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Swiatek experienced discomfort during the second set, receiving treatment on her left thigh after holding serve for a 2-1 lead. She later stated that the injury did not significantly affect her performance, attributing her struggles to earlier mistakes rather than her physical condition. “It was more that I started making mistakes from easy balls, and Qinwen stopped doing mistakes. She played the balls better,” Swiatek explained, acknowledging Zheng’s strong performance.
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