Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen continued her dominant run at Roland-Garros on Friday, defeating Canada's Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-4 to reach the French Open's last 16 without dropping a set. The eighth-seeded Wuhan native showcased her signature power and adaptability in sweltering Paris conditions, matching her career-best Grand Slam performance.
"Growing up in Wuhan prepared me for this heat," Zheng told reporters post-match, acknowledging fans who braved the sun. "We pushed each other to play our best – it wasn't easy." The 22-year-old's victory sets up a fourth-round clash with Russia's Liudmila Samsonova.
While Zheng's star rises, other Asian players faced mixed results. China's Wang Xinyu and Zheng Saisai fell in a dramatic women's doubles comeback, while Tang Qianhui and Japanese partner Makoto Ninomiya succumbed to French opposition after winning their opening set.
Global tennis heavyweights maintained their momentum as World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Iga Swiatek both advanced. Swiatek's 23rd consecutive French Open win sets up a tantalizing match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina.
In mixed doubles, China's Jiang Xinyu and American Robert Galloway progressed with a straight-sets victory over opponents including a player from Chinese Taipei.
