ROME — China's rising tennis star Zheng Qinwen delivered a stunning performance on Thursday, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals for the first time in her career.
The 21-year-old Zheng, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, showcased her powerful groundstrokes and tactical brilliance to outplay the reigning Australian Open champion in just one hour and 28 minutes on the clay courts of Foro Italico.
A Breakthrough Performance
Zheng's victory marks her first-ever win against a world No. 1 player and makes her only the second Chinese woman to reach the semi-finals at the Italian Open, following in the footsteps of her idol Li Na, who won the title in 2011.
"This is definitely one of the best matches I've played in my career," Zheng said in her post-match interview. "Sabalenka is such a strong player, so I knew I had to bring my best tennis today. I'm really proud of how I handled the pressure."
The match statistics reveal Zheng's dominance:
- Won 72% of first-serve points compared to Sabalenka's 58%
- Converted 4 of 7 break point opportunities
- Hit 22 winners to just 13 unforced errors
- Saved 5 of 7 break points faced
Tactical Masterclass
Zheng's game plan against the hard-hitting Belarusian was executed to perfection. She consistently targeted Sabalenka's weaker backhand side and used her heavy topspin forehand to push the two-time Grand Slam champion deep behind the baseline.
"I studied her game a lot," Zheng revealed. "I knew I had to take time away from her and not let her dictate with her forehand. The clay helps me because I can use more spin and variation."
Sabalenka, who had won their previous meeting at the US Open last year, struggled to find her rhythm throughout the match. The normally dominant server was broken four times and finished with 28 unforced errors.
Key Moments
The turning point came in the ninth game of the first set when Zheng broke Sabalenka's serve at love with a series of deep returns. She then served out the set confidently, saving a break point in the process.
In the second set, Zheng raced to a 4-0 lead before Sabalenka mounted a brief comeback, winning three straight games. However, the Chinese star held her nerve to close out the match on her first opportunity.
Historic Achievement
Zheng's victory continues her breakthrough season that has seen her:
- Win her first WTA 500 title in Zhengzhou
- Reach the Australian Open final
- Break into the top 10 for the first time
- Become China's No. 1 player
"She's playing incredible tennis right now," Sabalenka admitted after the match. "Zheng was more consistent today and handled the important points better. She definitely deserves this win."
Next Challenge: Coco Gauff
Zheng will face world No. 3 Coco Gauff in Friday's semi-final, setting up a rematch of their thrilling quarter-final at this year's Australian Open where Gauff prevailed in three sets.
"Coco is another amazing player," Zheng said about her next opponent. "We've had some great battles before. I'll need to recover well and prepare my best for tomorrow. Every match at this level is a new challenge."
Gauff advanced to the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Madison Keys, extending her winning streak on clay to nine matches. The American teenager has been in impressive form this European swing, having won the Stuttgart Open last month.
Road to the Semis
Zheng's path to the semi-finals has been impressive:
- 1R: Defeated Shelby Rogers 6-2, 6-0
- 2R: Beat Linda Noskova 6-1, 6-3
- 3R: Overcame Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4
- QF: Stunned Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3
- Has not lost a set all tournament
With this victory, Zheng is projected to rise to a new career-high ranking of No. 6 in the world when the new WTA rankings are released next Monday. A title in Rome would see her potentially break into the top 5.
Growing Chinese Influence
Zheng's success continues the growing influence of Chinese players in women's tennis. Following Li Na's retirement in 2014, China had been searching for its next tennis star, and Zheng appears to have filled that role perfectly.
"I feel proud to represent China," Zheng said. "Li Na inspired me to play tennis, and now I hope I can inspire the next generation of Chinese players. We have so much talent in our country."
The match attracted significant attention in China, with state broadcaster CCTV interrupting regular programming to show the quarter-final live. Social media platforms Weibo and Douyin were flooded with congratulatory messages for Zheng after her victory.
Conclusion
Zheng Qinwen's stunning victory over Aryna Sabalenka marks another milestone in her rapid rise through the tennis ranks. The young Chinese star has demonstrated she can compete with and defeat the very best players in the world.
As she prepares for her semi-final clash with Coco Gauff, Zheng will be looking to continue her dream run in Rome and potentially claim her biggest career title to date. Regardless of the outcome, her performance this week has cemented her status as one of the most exciting young talents in women's tennis.
"This is just the beginning," Zheng said with a smile during her press conference. "I'm learning and improving every day. My goal is to keep challenging myself against the best players in the world."