Zheng Qinwen's Clay Court Streak Snapped by Alexandrova in Charleston Quarterfinals
Zheng Qinwen's journey at the WTA 500 Charleston tournament came to an end on April 5th as she suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Russian opponent Ekaterina Alexandrova. Despite struggling with an elbow injury, Zheng persevered and completed the match, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the sport.
5 April 2025
The first set was a tough one for Zheng, who struggled to find her rhythm and made several unforced errors. Alexandrova capitalized on these mistakes, breaking Zheng's serve twice to take the set 6-1. Zheng's disappointment was palpable as she trailed 0-1 in the match. In the second set, Zheng's elbow injury began to take its toll, and after the third game, she called for a medical timeout to receive treatment on her elbow. Despite the brief pause, Zheng continued to battle on, determined to make a comeback. However, the pain proved too much to overcome, and she was forced to take painkillers during the changeover. Tears welled up in her eyes as she fought to hold back her emotions.
Ultimately, Zheng fell 4-6 in the second set, succumbing to Alexandrova's relentless pressure. The loss marked the end of Zheng's 13-match winning streak on clay courts, a remarkable run that had garnered significant attention in the tennis world. The statistics from the match paint a telling picture: Zheng failed to complete a single break, managed only two aces, and made three double faults. Her total score of 46 paled in comparison to Alexandrova's 63. This defeat also marked Zheng's third consecutive loss to Alexandrova, a concerning trend that she will likely look to reverse in future encounters.
Alexandrova has rebounded to the semifinals in Charleston after defeating Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals. She will next face top seed Pegula in a bid for a spot in the final. The win marked Alexandrova's third consecutive victory over Zheng, and also put an end to the Chinese player's 13-match winning streak on clay. Alexandrova last reached the semifinals in Charleston three years ago, and is now poised to make a deep run in the tournament once again.
Looking ahead, Zheng Qinwen is scheduled to compete in the WTA Stuttgart tournament, which begins on April 14th. Hopefully, her elbow will have sufficiently healed by then, enabling her to participate fully in the upcoming European clay season. Fans and supporters are eagerly awaiting her recovery and future performances. Despite the setback, Zheng's resolve and perseverance in the face of adversity have earned her admiration from fans and pundits alike.
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