US Open Women’s Singles – Semi-finals: Zheng Qinwen Defeats Vikic, Advances to Quarter-finals to Face Sabalenka

Today, in the US Open Round of 16, Chinese player and 7th seed Zheng Qinwen faced off against her Olympic final opponent, Croatian player, the 24th seed Vikic.

In the first set, both players had good serving form, although there were occasional fluctuations in their service games, ultimately no breaks occurred, and they entered a tie-breaker.

In the tie-breaker, Zheng Qinwen won all her service points and broke Vikic twice, taking the tie-breaker 7-2 and winning the first set 7-6 (2), leading by a score of 1-0.

In the second set, Vikic held serve smoothly at first, then created a break point on Zheng Qinwen’s serve. The two players entered deuce several times, but fortunately Zheng Qinwen’s serve was on point, saving the break point. However, she made another error soon after, giving Vikic a second break point. Using consecutive topspin shots, Vikic forced Zheng Qinwen into another mistake, achieving the first break of the match.

However, Zheng Qinwen immediately created two break points. Despite Vikic winning three straight points, the game entered deuce. After a double fault from Vikic and an out-of-bounds shot, Zheng Qinwen created another break point, which she successfully converted, breaking back immediately.

Afterwards, both players held serve smoothly.

But in the sixth game, Zheng Qinwen committed two double faults in a row, giving Vikic two break points. Fortunately, Zheng Qinwen adjusted her state in time, winning four straight points to hold serve with difficulty.

Thereafter, both players held serve smoothly until the tenth game, Zheng Qinwen’s must-win service game. Vikic again created a break point, but made an unforced error, allowing Zheng Qinwen to escape. However, during the subsequent rally, Zheng Qinwen again gave up a break point. Fortunately, her consistent quality forehand attacks saved the crisis once more. But Vikic’s excellent drop shot again created a break point, which she converted this time.

Vikic won the second set 6-4. The overall score was tied at 1-1.

In the opening game of the third set, on Vikic’s serve, Zheng Qinwen achieved a break. She then held serve to take a 2-0 lead.

After that, both players held serve until the fifth game, when Zheng Qinwen pushed Vikic to deuce on her serve. A double fault from Vikic gave Zheng Qinwen a break point, but this time Vikic’s outside corner serve helped her save it. She then served an ace, holding serve tenaciously.

Then, Zheng Qinwen’s serve also showed some fluctuation with a double fault. Fortunately, Vikic also made an unforced error. Zheng Qinwen played steadily with continuous slice shots. Vikic’s drop shot attempt also resulted in an error, allowing Zheng Qinwen to hold serve with some trouble. Vikic looked extremely frustrated.

In the following game on Vikic’s serve, Vikic’s errors increased significantly. She failed to get her first serves in and also double faulted. Zheng Qinwen took a 40-0 lead, creating three break points, and converted the first one, leading 5-2.

In the eighth game, Zheng Qinwen’s serve-to-win-the-match game, Vikic fought hard to push to deuce, but Zheng Qinwen held serve with some trouble.

Ultimately, Zheng Qinwen won the match 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-2, defeating Vikic 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals. In the next round on September 4th, she will face her nemesis, the 2nd seed Sabalenka.