Zheng Qinwen of the Chinese mainland is gearing up for a challenging start at the U.S. Open as she faces Amanda Anisimova of the United States in the women’s singles first-round match beginning on August 26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
This will be the first meeting between the two talented players. Zheng, seeded No. 7 in the tournament, has been in remarkable form, recently clinching the women’s singles gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. However, she hasn’t had much time to rest and was battling the flu during the Cincinnati Open, which could impact her performance.
Anisimova, ranked 49th in the world, earned her spot at the U.S. Open by winning the Wildcard Challenge. The 22-year-old demonstrated exceptional prowess at the Canadian Open, where she defeated multiple seeded players, including Daria Kasatkina and Anna Kalinskaya of Russia, as well as Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Her impressive run was halted in the final by compatriot Jessica Pegula.
An aggressive baseliner with powerful groundstrokes from both wings, Anisimova poses a significant threat to Zheng. Her recent ascent from No. 132 showcases her upward trajectory and confidence heading into the tournament.
Joining Zheng are 10 other players from the Chinese mainland, many of whom will face strong opponents in the early rounds. Wang Qiang is set to compete against No. 16 seed Liudmila Samsonova of Russia, while Wang Yafan will take on ninth-seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece in their respective first-round matches.
In the men’s singles event, Chinese players are also set for challenging openers. Zhang Zhizhen will face Britain’s No. 25 seed Jack Draper, Shang Juncheng will play against 27th-seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, and Bu Yunchaokete will meet Norwegian No. 8 seed Casper Ruud.
With a strong contingent representing the Chinese mainland, fans are eager to see how these athletes perform on one of tennis’s biggest stages. The tournament promises exciting matches and the potential for upsets as these players showcase their talent and determination.
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen to begin U.S. Open with tough challenge from Anisimova
cgtn.com
