Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen saw her French Open journey cut short Saturday in a rain-disrupted three-set battle against Russia’s Elina Avanesyan. The match had it all: momentum swings, a dramatic comeback attempt, and a tiebreaker showdown. 🌧️⚡
Zheng, the No. 7 seed, dominated early with a 6-3 first-set win and broke early in the second. But world No. 70 Avanesyan – now 6-0 against Top 15 players this year – clawed back to take the second set 6-3 before rain paused play. ☔
The decider delivered edge-of-your-seat drama: Zheng rallied from 5-2 down to force a 10-point tiebreaker, saving three match points along the way. Avanesyan ultimately sealed the 10-6 breaker, advancing to her second straight Roland Garros Round of 16. 💔
Despite the loss, Zheng’s star continues to rise – the 21-year-old reached her first Grand Slam final at January’s Australian Open. Her Paris performance matches her 2022 debut, when Iga Świątek ended her run. Next up for Avanesyan? A clash with Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who dominated Bianca Andreescu 6-1, 3-6, 6-0.
