Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen, reigning Olympic gold medalist, battled her way into the Charleston Open quarterfinals for the first time following a thrilling three-set victory over Belgium's Elise Mertens. The 21-year-old's 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 win marks her 13th consecutive clay-court triumph this season.
Zheng displayed early dominance with aggressive baseline play, sealing the first set with a searing backhand. However, world No.29 Mertens retaliated forcefully in the second set, winning six consecutive games with precision volleys.
The deciding set saw both players exchange powerful groundstrokes before Zheng capitalized on her superior forehand depth. The match concluded when Mertens netted a backhand, propelling Zheng to Friday's quarterfinals where she'll face Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked 19th globally.
This breakthrough performance positions Zheng as China's highest-ranked WTA player since Li Na's retirement, attracting attention from investors eyeing Asia's growing sports economy. For the global Asian diaspora and tennis enthusiasts, Zheng's rise symbolizes China's expanding influence in international sports.
