Zheng Qinwen of China secured her first victory at the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, defeating Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-1 in a hard-fought match.
Zheng, ranked seventh in the world, started strong in the opening set, breaking Rybakina in the fourth game and holding serve to lead 4-1. However, a double fault in the seventh game allowed Rybakina to break back. The set progressed to a tiebreaker, where Zheng built an early 4-1 lead. Despite Rybakina narrowing the gap, Zheng held her nerve to clinch the set.
In the second set, Zheng converted a break point in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead, but Rybakina immediately responded by breaking back. Zheng had opportunities to regain control in the seventh game with two break points, but Rybakina delivered two aces to hold serve. The Kazakh player then broke Zheng again and served out the set, leveling the match at one set apiece.
Zheng regrouped in the decisive third set, breaking Rybakina in the fourth game to lead 3-1. She extended her advantage with a love game and broke again to go up 5-1. Serving for the match, Zheng maintained her momentum to secure the win and keep her hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.
“I’m really happy to win this match because I’d never beaten her before and she’s one of the greatest players right now on tour,” Zheng said after the match. “Even though I had a chance in the second set and didn’t take it, I’m happy I came back in the third set and stayed focused.”
Earlier in the day, World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus booked her place in the semifinals by defeating Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-3, 7-5. Sabalenka’s victory marked her second win at the tournament, following her opening match triumph over Zheng.
“I’m proud of myself and my team,” Sabalenka commented. “We were able to overcome a lot of things. To be able to show such great tennis and become World No.1, it’s teamwork. Nobody sees the behind-the-scenes work, but they do a lot for me. This is motivation for me to keep winning on this court. Those guys deserve to be called the best team ever.”
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen defeats Kazakhstan's Rybakina for first win at WTA Finals
cgtn.com
