Iga Swiatek has blunt response after blowing 5-0 lead against Zheng Qinwen: “It’s just one match”
WTA
Iga Swiatek suffered one of the most painful defeats of her US Open career on Monday, surrendering a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Zheng Qinwen completed a remarkable comeback to knock her out in the fourth round.
The Polish star had looked firmly in control, but Zheng gradually turned the match around and won seven consecutive games to take the opening set 7-5. She then maintained her level in the second set to complete a 7-5, 6-3 victory and reach the quarterfinals.
The defeat ended Swiatek's final Grand Slam campaign of the season without a major title. The 2022 US Open champion had entered New York among the leading contenders, but her run ended against an opponent who had already produced an almost identical comeback earlier in the tournament.
Zheng had trailed Madison Keys 0-5 in the deciding set of their third-round match before winning seven of the next eight games. Against Swiatek, she repeated the feat in the opening set, producing another remarkable turnaround in their ninth career meeting.
Swiatek rejects the mental explanation
Swiatek had already beaten Xinyu Wang, Nadia Podoroska and Marie Bouzkova in straight sets on her way to the fourth round, with the latter match requiring two tiebreaks. She appeared to be continuing that controlled run when she moved 5-0 ahead against Zheng.
Instead, her level began to drop while Zheng found the range from the baseline. Asked whether the collapse had been a mental issue, Swiatek was clear that she did not see it that way. “I wouldn't say it had anything to do with mentality. It was more that I started making mistakes from easy balls, and Qinwen stopped making mistakes. She played the balls better.”
Swiatek then explained that the problem was more fundamental than finding the right tactical solution. Her timing and ball-striking were simply not where she wanted them to be.
“I was just mis-hitting the balls, you know, so didn't feel like I had space to feel it better. Well, I framed a lot. I didn't hit the ball in the right place.”
The former world No. 1 said that made it difficult to make the kind of adjustments she had successfully used in previous matches.
“It's not so easy to adjust, like, the basic things in the game if they're not working. You just try to focus on having, like, a smooth rhythm and everything, but also, you know, I didn't have good timing. I wasn't hitting the ball right, so it's tough to get over that when it happens.”
There was also little room to simply play more conservatively against Zheng. “Maybe I could have played more safe or something, but I also didn't feel like I had space with Qinwen to do that," Swiatek said. "If I would be more solid than her, I would win this game. But I wasn't solid, and I was missing too much.”
“Nothing special about that”
The most striking exchange of the press conference came when Swiatek was asked specifically about surrendering a 5-0 lead and whether she would try to internalize the experience and learn from it.
Her response was notably matter-of-fact. “It's just one match. I'll try to play the same way as usual.”
When the reporter questioned whether losing a set from 5-0 was something “crazy,” Swiatek went even further in dismissing the significance of the scoreline. “You can lose a set from any score, so nothing special about that," the 6-time Grand Slam champion added. "Just that's what happened in the set.”
That attitude extended to the wider question of how she would respond to another disappointing US Open exit. Rather than describing the loss as something she needed to overcome psychologically, Swiatek pointed toward the routine of professional tennis.
“In tennis, you're more used to losing than winning. So I don't feel like I need to, like, bounce back from anything. Just need to focus on the work before the next tournament, and there are going to be other chances to play good tennis and focus on growing and developing my game, and that's it.”
The defeat was particularly notable given Zheng's history against her. Swiatek had won seven of their first eight meetings, with Zheng's only previous victory coming in the 2024 Olympic semifinal in Paris. Swiatek had entered those Games as the heavy favorite on the Roland Garros clay, but Zheng won in straight sets before going on to claim Olympic gold.
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This time, Zheng again produced a major victory over Swiatek when the Pole was among the tournament favorites. After returning from right elbow surgery and winning three qualifying matches to reach the main draw, the world No. 121 has now reached the US Open quarterfinals.
For Swiatek, meanwhile, the season's four Grand Slams are over without a title. Her response to the latest setback was not to search for a dramatic explanation, but to treat it as another loss in a long career — even if the manner of this one was anything but ordinary.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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