Qinwen Zheng (WTA No. 15 and No. 12 seed) came back from 0-1 down to reach the semifinals of the first Grand Slam of the season, the 2024 Australian Open (6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1). with Anna Kalinska).

Qinwen Zheng Photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP / Profimedia

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Qinwen Zheng, victory with Anna Kalinska in Melbourne

Zheng lost a tense first set (one that saw four breaks – two each) in a tie-break: Anna Kalinska (25) was more precise, more inspired and won 7-4. It was a match that lasted almost an hour.

Step by step, the Chinese served better and better, exerted constant pressure on the return, and the table began to be on her side. In addition, the explosive forehand caused a lot of damage to the opponent’s defense.

Zheng (21 years old) won the second set 6-3 (the only break was at 4-3), and in the deciding match he took complete control of the match.

The Asian won twice after the rematch, and the match came back to her with a decisive 6-1.

Know:

  • Reaching the semifinals is Zheng’s best Grand Slam result. The Chinese also noted her presence in the quarters at the US Open in 2023.
  • They have met only once on the world stage: in Guadalajara in 2022, when the Russian won 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
  • 25-year-old Kalinska also ended her career in the quarterfinals. Previously, the Russian did not reach the second round of Grand Slam tournaments (US Open, editions of 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023).

Australian Open 2024 Semifinals

Coco Gauf (4) vs Arina Sabalenko (2)

Dayana Yastremska vs. Qinwen Zheng (12).

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