Zheng Qinwen Battles Back to Win US Open Opener
In a thrilling start to her US Open campaign, China's Zheng Qinwen overcame a tough challenge from wildcard entry Anastasia Anisimova to advance to the second round. The seventh-seeded Zheng was made to work hard for her victory, ultimately prevailing 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a match that lasted over two hours.
27 August 2024
Despite a slow start, Zheng gradually gained momentum and began to dominate the proceedings. Her powerful forehand and swift movements around the court proved to be too much for Anisimova to handle, as she eventually succumbed to Zheng's onslaught.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both players competing fiercely in front of a lively crowd at Flushing Meadows. However, Zheng's superior skill and composure ultimately gave her the edge she needed to seal the win and set up a second-round showdown against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
Zheng attributed her come-from-behind victory to her ability to adjust her strategy mid-match. "I think the key to my win was my ability to change my game plan after the first set," she said. "I realized that my opponent was playing very aggressively, so I decided to take a step back and focus on my defense. I also tried to mix up my shots and use more variety to keep her off balance."
Zheng also credited her improved physical conditioning for her success on the court. "I've been working hard on my fitness during the off-season, and I feel like it's really paid off," she said. "I was able to move more quickly and easily around the court, which allowed me to get into position to hit more shots."
When asked about her mental approach to the match, Zheng said that she tried to stay focused on the present moment and not get too caught up in the pressure of the situation. "I just tried to take it one point at a time and not think too much about the outcome of the match," she said. "I know that if I can just focus on my game and play to my strengths, I'll have a good chance of winning."
Zheng's win was a testament to her growing maturity and experience as a player. Despite facing a tough opponent and a difficult situation, she was able to stay calm and adapt her game plan to come out on top.
After her thrilling comeback victory, Zheng is set to face off against her next opponent in the second round of the 2024 US Open. According to the tournament schedule, Zheng will take on the winner of the match between her next opponent, which is scheduled to take place soon. The exact details of Zheng's next match will be confirmed once the outcome of the aforementioned match is determined.
With her confidence boosted by her first-round win, Zheng will look to carry her momentum forward and make a deep run in the tournament. As the seventh seed, she is expected to face stiffer competition in the coming rounds, but her fans will be eagerly watching to see how she performs against her next opponent.
