Qinwen Zheng delivered a second dramatic resurgence at the US Open in as many days, shocking former champion Iga Swiatek and securing a spot in the tournament’s quarter‑finals for the third time in her career. Just two days after escaping a match point while trailing 5‑0 in the third set against Madison Keys, Zheng once again demonstrated extraordinary resilience on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The opening set began with Swiatek cruising, claiming the first five games without resistance. Yet Zheng refused to surrender. She rallied with a ferocious run of seven consecutive games, overturning the early deficit and taking the set 7‑5.
Riding that momentum, she continued to press her advantage, ultimately dismantling her bewildered opponent with a 6‑3 second set, sealing a remarkable 7‑5, 6‑3 victory. Swiatek, visibly shaken, never managed to recover from the early shock. The 2022 champion, who entered the match as a favorite, collapsed in straight sets, departing the court in tears as her campaign unraveled in a manner few could have imagined. Zheng’s journey to this point has been nothing short of inspirational.
The former world No. 4 from China fought her way through the qualifying rounds after a prolonged layoff caused by a serious elbow injury. By reaching the last eight, she became the first qualifier to do so since Emma Raducanu’s historic run to the title in 2021.
Her next opponent will be either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina, setting up a high‑profile clash in the quarter‑finals. Reflecting on the match, Zheng said, “I started the match not so well but I found my rhythm.” She added, “It has been a long, long time since I played on a centre court and I really appreciate being here on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
I took it point by point and little by little I started to play better and find my game. I even forgot the score at 4‑5 in the first set, which showed I was focused. To come back from 0‑5 is not lucky, that’s all I can say.” Sky Sports tennis analyst Jonathan Overend described the performance as one of the tournament’s greatest comebacks: “It’s a straight‑set win but it’s one of the great comebacks.
Go figure. How’s that possible? Zheng made it happen. Two games in a row, 5‑0 down in sets.
She got the win against Madison Keys to get the first set today, before completing victory against Swiatek for only the second time in her career.” He summed up the significance, noting, “The Chinese dream lives on as the qualifier makes it into the final eight.” The day also featured a poignant moment for Anastasia Potapova, whose run in New York ended in tears. The 25‑year‑old Austrian had taken the first set against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, but a severe knee twist while chasing a forehand at 5‑3 down in the third set forced her to play with a heavily strapped leg.
Despite her bravery, she could not secure another point, and Andreeva ultimately prevailed 5‑7, 6‑4, 6‑3. Andreeva, a teenage Russian, expressed empathy for her opponent: “Anastasia is a good friend, and seeing what a battle we have and then seeing her fall is not easy.
It’s not the way you want to finish the match. I just told her she is playing amazing and I’m sure she’ll come back even stronger, she’s a warrior.” Zheng’s triumph underscores the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis, where qualifiers can topple top‑seeded players and rewrite the narrative in a single match. Her ability to stay composed under pressure, to reset after a disastrous start, and to capitalize on every opportunity exemplifies the mental toughness required at the highest level of the sport. As she prepares for the quarter‑final, the tennis world will be watching to see whether she can continue her fairy‑tale run or if the next round will bring a new set of challenges.
The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, allowing fans to follow every rally, upset, and emotional moment without a contract. Additionally, viewers can catch the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also covered by Sky Sports, ensuring a full slate of elite tennis action for enthusiasts worldwide.