Zheng Qinwen of China triumphed over compatriot Wang Xinyu with a straight-sets victory of 6-3, 6-4 in the women's singles semifinals at the Wuhan Open on Saturday. The win propels her into the championship match where she will face Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka.
The match was historic, marking the first time two home players reached the semifinals of the Wuhan Open, a testament to the rising strength of Chinese tennis on the global stage. The crowd in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, was treated to an intense battle between the two local favorites.
In the opening set, both Zheng and Wang showcased their powerful serves and groundstrokes, breaking each other once in their first three service games and leveling the score at 3-3. Zheng, demonstrating remarkable composure, held her serve in the seventh game, dominated the eighth with a love game, and sealed the set by holding her serve again, gaining a 1-0 lead.
The second set intensified as the two athletes exchanged breaks in a display of resilience and agility. Zheng secured breaks in the first, seventh, and ninth games, while Wang responded fiercely by breaking back in the second and eighth games. Zheng's unwavering consistency ultimately gave her the edge, and she closed out the match with an ace, igniting cheers from the enthusiastic home crowd.
\"It's always challenging to play against a friend and compatriot,\" Zheng said after the match. \"I’m happy with my performance and looking forward to the final.\"
Standing between Zheng and the Wuhan Open title is Aryna Sabalenka, the world-renowned player from Belarus. The upcoming final promises to be a thrilling showdown, with Zheng aiming to claim the championship on home soil.
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen to face Aryna Sabalenka for championship at Wuhan Open
cgtn.com
