Qinwen Zheng staged a second epic comeback on the US Open in as many days to stun former champion Iga Swiatek and e-book her place within the quarter-finals for the third time.
Two days on from saving match level whereas trailing 5-0 within the third set to Madison Keys, Zheng mounted one other outstanding fightback on Arthur Ashe.
Swiatek received the primary 5 video games however Zheng merely refused to roll over, successful the following seven video games to clinch the primary set earlier than overpowering her shellshocked opponent to finish an astonishing 7-5 6-3 victory.
A surprised Swiatek by no means recovered, and the 2022 champion succumbed in straight units, 7-5 6-3, leaving the courtroom in tears after her marketing campaign unravelled in unthinkable trend.
The previous world No 4 from China, who had come by qualifying after being sidelined by a long-term elbow harm, grew to become the primary qualifier to achieve the quarter-finals since Emma Raducanu received the match in 2021.
Zheng’s reward is a last-eight tie in opposition to both Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina.
Qinwen Zheng has matched her greatest ever efficiency on the US Open by reaching the quarter-finals
Zheng revels in being again on huge stage
“I began the match not so properly however I discovered my rhythm,” Zheng mentioned.
“It has been an extended, very long time since I performed on a centre courtroom and I actually respect being right here on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I took it level by level and little by little I began to play higher and discover my recreation.
“I even forgot the rating at 4-5 within the first set, which confirmed I used to be targeted. To come back again from 0-5 is just not fortunate, that is all I can say.”
Qinwen Zheng, US Open (Related Press)
‘One of many nice comebacks’
Sky Sports activities Tennis’ Jonathan Overend:
“It is a straight-set win but it surely’s one of many nice comebacks. Go determine. How’s that doable? Zheng made it occur.
“Two video games in a row, 5-0 down in units. She obtained the win in opposition to Madison Keys to get the primary set at present, earlier than finishing victory in opposition to Swiatek for less than the second time in her profession.”
“The Chinese language dream lives on because the qualifier makes it into the ultimate eight.”
Potapova in tears after late harm in Andreeva defeat
Anastasia Potapova was in floods of tears as her keep in New York got here to an finish.
The 25-year-old Austrian received the primary set in opposition to fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, however, at 5-3 down within the third she badly twisted her knee chasing a forehand down.
Potapova had the knee closely strapped up and bravely completed the match, however didn’t win one other level as French Open champion Andreeva triumphed 5-7 6-4 6-3.
“Anastasia is an effective pal, and seeing what a battle we now have after which seeing her fall is just not straightforward,” mentioned Russian teenager Andreeva.
“It is not the way in which you wish to end the match. I simply informed her she is enjoying superb and I am positive she’ll come again even stronger, she’s a warrior.”
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