Beijing, China — In a thrilling semifinal match on Saturday at the China Open, unseeded Czech player Karolina Muchova stunned local favorite Zheng Qinwen, dashing her hopes of claiming the title on home soil. With this victory, Muchova is now only one win away from ending a five-year title drought.
Muchova, who had missed ten months due to injury after the 2023 US Open, showcased remarkable resilience and skill throughout the tournament. In the quarterfinals, she ended top seed Aryna Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak, signaling her formidable return to the court.
The semifinal match was a display of high-intensity tennis. Muchova was up a break at 5-3 in the first set when Zheng produced a brilliant backhand smash, igniting the crowd and momentarily shifting the momentum. However, Muchova maintained her composure and clinched the first set 6-3.
Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion and a rising star representing the hopes of millions of fans in the People’s Republic of China, fought valiantly but was unable to overcome Muchova’s relentless performance.
With this win, Muchova advances to the final, where she seeks to capture her first title since 2018. Tennis enthusiasts worldwide will be keen to see if she can complete her remarkable comeback story.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
