Tokyo, Japan — Top-seeded Zheng Qinwen of China secured her place in the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open on Thursday, defeating Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 7-5, 6-0 in a compelling second-round match.
The match began with both players demonstrating strong performances. Zheng made the first move by breaking Uchijima’s serve in the third game, but the Japanese player swiftly responded by breaking back in the following game. The first set remained tightly contested as both held their serves, reaching a 5-5 tie.
In the crucial eleventh game, Zheng seized two quick break points and capitalized with a decisive forehand winner, moving ahead 6-5. She maintained her momentum in the next game, securing the first set with aggressive play and taking a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set saw Uchijima struggle with unforced errors, which Zheng adeptly exploited. The Chinese player dominated the set, breaking Uchijima’s serve three times in the first five games. Serving for the match, Zheng showcased her powerful forehand to earn three match points. Despite Uchijima saving the first, Zheng clinched victory with another forehand winner.
Looking ahead to the quarterfinals, Zheng will face eighth seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada, the 2021 U.S. Open runner-up. The two have met three times previously, with Fernandez leading the head-to-head 2-1. However, Zheng defeated Fernandez earlier this month at the Wuhan Open in a three-set battle, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.
In other matches, third-seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia overcame a slow start to defeat the United States’ McCartney Kessler 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Ninth seed Katie Boulter of Britain advanced with ease, winning 6-1, 6-2 against Japan’s Kyoka Okamura.
Reference(s):
No. 1 seed Zheng Qinwen advances to quarterfinals at Pan Pacific Open
cgtn.com
