US Open: Zheng Qinwen Triumphs Over Donna Vekic in Thrilling Late-Night Showdown.

Zheng Qinwen Triumphs Over Donna Vekic: In an electrifying late-night clash at the US Open, World No. 7 Zheng Qinwen outlasted Donna Vekic in a tense three-set battle, winning 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals. The victory, marking yet another dramatic match under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, propels Zheng into her second consecutive US Open quarterfinal and her second Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance of the season. She is now set to face the formidable World No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka.

This match was a rematch of the Paris 2024 Olympic gold-medal contest, where Zheng dominated Vekic on clay, winning 6-2, 6-3. While the Croatian struggled on the slower surface in Paris, she brought a much stronger game to the hard courts of New York, creating a thrilling contest from the very start.

Vekic, ranked 24th in the world, showed her comfort on faster surfaces, making her intentions clear from the first ball. She expertly handled Zheng’s powerful baseline strokes and showed impressive control, registering only one unforced error by the sixth game. This was a stark contrast from their previous encounter, as Vekic adapted brilliantly to the faster pace of the court, causing Zheng more trouble than she had on clay.

Despite Vekic’s determined effort, Zheng stayed composed. Her determination to reach her third major quarterfinal shone through as she remained aggressive, yet poised throughout the match. The opening set was a tightly contested affair, with both players holding serve for 12 consecutive games, leading to a decisive tiebreaker. Zheng, who had hit 15 winners and seven aces by the end of the first set, seized control in the tiebreak, ultimately taking the set after 59 minutes.

Statistically, the match was incredibly close, showcasing both players’ strong serving games. Zheng fired 10 aces compared to Vekic’s 9, while both players managed a 58% first-serve percentage. Zheng proved to be slightly more effective on her first serve, winning 81% of her points compared to Vekic’s 72%. However, Vekic was more successful on her second serve, winning 61% of her points versus Zheng’s 46%. Double faults plagued both players, with Zheng committing 6 and Vekic 8, adding to the drama of the contest.

Vekic continued to push in the second set, showing her resilience. She ramped up her baseline aggression, taking the ball early and playing flatter shots to pressure Zheng. This adjustment paid off, as Vekic managed to claim the second set 6-4, forcing a decider.

The momentum seemed to shift in Vekic’s favor early in the third set, as she applied pressure on Zheng. However, a crucial turning point came at 3-2, 30-all, when Vekic attempted a drop shot that fell short, denying her the chance to earn a break point. This error allowed Zheng to regain control and ultimately break Vekic’s serve twice in the final set to close out the match.

While the result may leave Vekic with a sense of “what if,” her performance was commendable. She showcased her ability to adapt and fight back in a high-pressure match, making this a memorable contest for both players and fans.

Zheng, on the other hand, continues her impressive run at the US Open, displaying a combination of power, precision, and mental toughness that has carried her deep into the tournament once again. Her next challenge, a quarterfinal showdown against Aryna Sabalenka, promises to be another thrilling test of her abilities on the biggest stage in tennis.

As the US Open heats up, all eyes will be on Zheng to see if she can continue her rise and potentially claim her first Grand Slam title.