Zheng conquers Vekic 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 to achieve US An open quarter-final
From the match for the Olympic gold medal in the round of 16 in the final slam of the season, Qinwen Zheng and Donna Vekic seize the moment and embrace the pressure. Zheng, just twenty-one, reached the final at the Australian Open to start the season and won gold for China at the Paris Olympics. Carried and seeded seventh, she led head-to-head 2-1.
Vekic from Croatia ranks #23 and seed 24th. The 28-year-old had a stellar spring season, reaching the finals in Bad Homburg (l. Shnaider), the semifinals at Wimbledon (l. Paolini) and winning silver at the Olympics.
During this fortnight, Zheng dropped a set in every round while Vekic won three rounds in a row. Vekic was looking for her second Open quarterfinal after reaching that round 2019 (l. Bencic) while Zheng was looking for her second straight quarterfinal after losing to eventual finalist Aryna Sabalenka.
Zheng served first and opened with a fantastic forehand down the line. Although she double-faulted, she hit three aces in a row to hold! Vekic lost 4/6 first serve but held in 30 to level.
(picture / AP)
Zheng opened with three winners in a row, including her fourth ace and despite another double fault, held for her 2-1 with a terrific inside-out forehand. Vekic, playing with purpose and poise, hit three winners in a row and held at love level.
Zheng did 4/6 first serves including her fifth ace on game point as Vekic faced three deuces and two break points still held with three outstanding winners including her first ace.
The Aussie Open finalist lost 4/6 the former still serves 30 while Vekic serving with newly made balls 4/5 first serve including an ace in level four. Zheng opened the ninth with an errant shot but held on 5-4 with two winners including her sixth ace.
Vekic that serves to stay in the set made 3/6 first serves and is held for 5-5 with a spectacular forehead in the middle. Zheng opened the eleventh with the third double fault, but held it 30 with her seventh ace while Vekic did 4/4 first serves including her third ace and liked to force the breaker.
Zheng ran into one 5-2 lead when Vekic hit a first-run double to close it out 7-2 to provide the opening set. Vekic served first in the second. In this highly entertaining and competitive match, it opened with a stunning inside-out foreword and held 15.
Zheng opened with an incredible forehand winner, but then struggled facing four deuces and two break points and dropped serve with an errant forehand.
Vekic opened the third with a forehand down the line, but got the break back with two double overtime faults and two groundstroke errors. Zheng serving with new balls hit one 105mph serve up the tee to consolidate the break for 2-2.
Vekic opened the fifth with her fourth ace and although she served another double fault, she held it 30 with her fifth ace and an incredible inside-outside forehand. the world #7 opened with two double faults in a row and faced double break points but held with a forehand winner and 107mph serve to the tee.
Exceptional shooting and focus were rivaled by incredible foot speed and field coverage. Vekic served her sixth double fault, but still held easily 15 ABOUT 4-3 while Zheng did 3/4 First serve including her eight ace and held at love.
Vekic appeared lethargic as she opened the ninth with her seventh double fault, but with two straight monster serves including her fifth ace, held in 15 ABOUT 5-4.
Zheng serving to stay in the group faltered as unforced errors continued to mount. Despite a ninth ace and a spectacular shorthand in the box, she faced three set points and conceded it when Vekic hit a forehand down the line.
The players left the court after the end of the second set and although few fans remained in Arthur Ashe Stadium 1:30 am, those who did were fully engaged and ready to go the distance.
Vekic served first in the deciding position and opened with an ace out, but dropped serve after two consecutive forehand errors. Zheng smelled blood and with two outstanding groundstroke winners, consolidated the break for 2-0.
Vekic service with new balls was missing 5/6 the first still serves 30 to board. Zheng opened the fourth with an incredible cross-court forehand 13shot, held for him 30 ABOUT 3-1.
Vekic intermittently used the moon ball to buy time and although she served her seventh double fault and faced two deuces and a break point, she held for 2-3 with a terrific line lead and two extra aces.
Zheng lost 3/6 First serves including her sixth double fault but manages to hold it 30 to maintain the lead. Vekic lost 4/4 first serves including her eighth double fault and dropped serve after three break points.
Zheng served for a coveted spot in the quarters and although she opened with an overcooked shot, she hit her tenth ace and secured victory when Vekic served up two unforced errors in a row.
It was an exciting encounter that showcased the best in women’s tennis. After nearly three hours, only seven points separated the fighters. Vekic finished with nine aces and 8 double faults and won 72First % and 49% of second serve points. She was more effective than Zheng on the second serve winning return points 59% to 51% respectively, but struggled on break points winning only 2/7.
Zheng was clutch on serve earning a stunning score 81First % and 41% of second serve points and was consistent in saving break points 5/7 during conversion 3/8. She struck 10 Ace of 6 double faults and strikes 33 the winners of 21 unforced errors.
Aryna Sabalenka #2 the seed waits in the neighborhood. The two-time Australian Open champion leads head-to-head 2-0 including the final landing last January and last year’s quarters at Flushing Meadows. With the semi-finals on the line, this promises to be an epic battle between worthy opponents.
