Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen achieved a career breakthrough by defeating three-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 in the Italian Open quarterfinals on Wednesday. The victory marks Zheng's first win against a World No. 1 player, propelling her into the tournament's semifinals against American Coco Gauff.
The eighth-seeded Zheng dominated her Belarusian opponent on Rome's clay courts through tactical precision and mental resilience. "Finally, I broke through!" Zheng told reporters after ending her 0-6 losing streak against Sabalenka. "Today I proved to myself I can beat anyone."
The match turned when Zheng broke Sabalenka's serve in the fifth game of the first set, maintaining momentum despite the Belarusian saving four break points in the second set. The 22-year-old Olympic gold medalist sealed victory on her third match point, showcasing improved adaptability on clay compared to previous hardcourt encounters.
This breakthrough comes as Zheng ascends in the WTA rankings, potentially signaling a new era in Asian women's tennis. Her semifinal match will test her against US Open champion Gauff in what analysts predict could rebalance the sport's power dynamics.
