Zheng Qinwen defeated eighth-seeded Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 on Monday to advance to the quarterfinals of the US Open. The result marks the second consecutive match in which the Chinese player has mounted a dramatic comeback from a 5-0 deficit. Just two days earlier, Zheng came back from the same deficit in the third set against Madison Keys to secure a 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory.
With this quarterfinal appearance, Zheng became the first qualifier to reach the final eight at the US Open since Emma Raducanu won the title in 2021. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist reached the quarterfinals at the US Open in both 2023 and 2024 but was required to compete in qualifying this year following elbow surgery. Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion, was unable to convert two set points while serving at 5-1 in the opening set and another opportunity while leading 5-3.
Swiatek arrived at the match with a 7-1 record against Zheng. The Polish player’s only previous loss to Zheng came two years ago during the Olympic semifinals, when Zheng rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the second set to end Swiatek’s 25-match winning streak at Roland Garros. Swiatek acknowledged that her performance deteriorated as the match progressed, noting that she began making unforced errors on straightforward balls while Zheng improved her shot quality.
Zheng will face either two-time champion Naomi Osaka or second-seeded Elena Rybakina in the next round. Elsewhere, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva defeated Anastasia Potapova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 and will meet the winner of a quarterfinal between fourth-seeded Coco Gauff and fourteenth-seeded Iva Jovic.
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