Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen’s Miami Open journey came to a dramatic close on Sunday as she fell 6-2, 7-5 to top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the quarterfinals. Despite flashes of brilliance, Zheng couldn’t crack the code against her longtime rival, extending their head-to-head record to 0-6.
The match started strong for Zheng, who nearly secured an early 2-0 lead. But Sabalenka—fresh off her Australian Open victory—shifted gears, blasting powerful serves and dominating baseline rallies. The Belarusian’s aggressive playstyle kept Zheng scrambling, with the first set ending 6-2 in Sabalenka’s favor.
The second set saw Zheng ramp up her aggression, trading breaks with Sabalenka in a nail-biting back-and-forth. But at 5-5, Sabalenka locked in, sealing the final two games to advance to her first Miami Open semifinal.
While Zheng’s WTA 1000 quarterfinal curse overseas continues, fans praised her tenacity. Sabalenka, meanwhile, faces Italy’s Jasmine Paolini next. Will this be her chance to grab the Miami crown? Stay tuned!
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen ousted by Aryna Sabalenka in Miami Open quarterfinals
cgtn.com