Zheng
Qinwen claimed victory against Venus Williams in the Second Round of the
Western & Southern Open by 1-6, 6-2, 6-1.
The major
upset in the first round of the Cincinnati Open was the impressive win by wild
card Venus Williams over world No. 16 Veronika Kudermetova.
The
American was down 1-4 in the first set but managed to secure it with a 6-4
score. The same scenario played out in the second set as she trailed 1-5, only
to turn it around and win 7-5.
World No.
24 Zheng Qinwen easily defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-4, securing a
triumph in her debut appearance in Cincinnati.
The 7-time
Grand Slam champion displayed remarkable performance right from the outset of
the first set. In Zheng's first service game, she seized every opportunity to
break, achieving it twice consecutively in the fourth and sixth games of the
set.
Venus
Williams encountered few challenges in her service games, facing only three
points against her serve until the pivotal game at 5-1. Despite Zheng's first
break point opportunity, the American maintained her composure and clinched the
set with a commanding 6-1 score.
The
20-year-old faced significant issues with her service in the first set,
predominantly relying on her second serve: she managed only a 34% first serve
accuracy and won a mere 38% of second serve points.
Although
the second set initially favored the former world No. 1 with an early break
that put her ahead 2-0, Zheng found her rhythm on the court, winning six
consecutive games to level the match with a 6-2 score.
She
improved her first serve statistics to a 50% accuracy rate, and her success
rate with the first serve points increased to 80%, while maintaining a 60%
success rate with the second serve.
Williams
had a 60% first serve accuracy, but she only won 40% of those points and 30%
with the second serve.
The third
set was an absolute domination by Zheng, who won five consecutive games.
Although Venus Williams managed to hold her service once, the young Chinese
player didn't falter and clinched the match 1-6, 6-2, 6-1.
In the
upcoming round, Zheng will face world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, against whom she holds
a 3-0 head-to-head advantage in favor of the Polish player.
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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