China’s tennis star Zheng Qinwen reached the quarterfinals of the WTA Italian Open for the third year in a row after defeating former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu 7-5, 6-1 in Rome on Monday. Zheng will next face world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, marking their first-ever meeting on clay.
Former Chinese Tennis Association coach Pan Shouhu praised Zheng’s current form. Speaking to the Global Times on Tuesday, Pan said Zheng is in great physical condition, with no signs of injury affecting her game. He also highlighted her strong ability to adapt during matches.
“Even if she falls behind early, Zheng can adjust her strategy as the match progresses,” Pan noted.
That adaptability was clear in her match against Andreescu. Zheng started strong with a 3-0 lead in the first set. However, Andreescu fought back, taking a 5-4 lead. Zheng stayed calm, broke back in the tenth game, and won three straight games to clinch the set 7-5.
“After going up 3-0, I relaxed a little,” Zheng admitted in a post-match interview. “I lost some focus and allowed my opponent to take control. But even after making mistakes, I stayed calm and fought point by point.”
In the second set, Zheng took full control. She even hit an impressive tweener shot, thrilling the crowd, and closed out the match with a dominant 6-1 score.
“Every great shot excites me and helps me find my rhythm,” Zheng said. “I always give my best in every match, and I’m happy I did that today. I want to keep this momentum going.”
Zheng will now face Sabalenka in the quarterfinals. So far, she has lost all six previous matches against the Belarusian star.
“Sabalenka has been a tough challenge for Zheng, like a mountain that’s hard to climb,” Pan said. “But if she can beat Sabalenka this time, it would be a big confidence boost.”
Zheng understands Sabalenka’s aggressive style. “She attacks fiercely, so you must absorb some heavy shots,” Zheng explained. “But aggressive play brings errors. I’ll stay consistent and wait for my chances.”
Zheng has a strong record on clay courts. According to Shangguan News, she reached the second week of a Grand Slam in 2022 and won Olympic gold in women’s singles in 2024, both on clay. Zheng has often said she feels more comfortable on this surface, where she can quickly find her rhythm.
Zhe Kunlin, China representative of top clay court supplier Tianjiao Sports, explained why clay suits Zheng’s game. Speaking to the Global Times, Zhe said clay courts demand fast reactions and tactical play.
“Clay courts allow players to slide, which is one of Zheng’s strengths,” Zhe said. He added that clay is also gentler on the body compared to hard courts, helping prevent knee and joint injuries.
However, Zhe pointed out that Chinese players generally have fewer chances to play on clay, as most tournaments in China are held on hard courts. Despite this, Zheng has shown strong adaptability, especially after her Olympic gold win.
Looking ahead to the quarterfinal clash, Zhe believes the clay surface could work in Zheng’s favor. Her speed, balance, and quick reactions make her a strong competitor on clay, raising hopes for a breakthrough performance against Sabalenka.
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