In a remarkable display of resilience, Qinwen Zheng triumphed over Madison Keys in the third round of the US Open, turning what seemed like a certain defeat into a stunning victory. Zheng, who had to navigate through qualifying rounds to reach the main draw, found herself in a precarious position, trailing 5-0 and facing match point against the 22nd seed Keys.
The match, which Zheng later described as a "very dramatic match," showcased her fighting spirit as she rallied to win seven consecutive games, ultimately clinching the match with a score of 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5. The victory not only marked her sixth consecutive win in New York but also highlighted her remarkable comeback after a challenging year.
Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, appeared to be on her way to an easy victory, having taken the first set in just 23 minutes. However, Zheng's determination shone through as she fought back, winning the second set in a tiebreak before pulling off the improbable comeback in the final set. After sealing her victory, Zheng collapsed to the court in relief, reflecting on the tumultuous year that had led her to this moment.
"Finally, a bit of luck is on my side," the 23-year-old Chinese player stated after the match. "I am just telling myself never to give up. Somehow, little by little, it’s just happened." Her journey has been particularly challenging, as she underwent elbow surgery last year, which forced her to question her ability to return to her previous form.
Before this match, Zheng had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in her career. Just three months prior, she was in tears after a first-round exit at the French Open, marking her first Grand Slam appearance since her surgery in July 2025. That surgery was necessary to address a chronic injury that had plagued her, stemming from small bone fragments in her elbow. This injury followed a breakthrough 2024 season where she reached the Australian Open final, secured Olympic gold, and made it to the US Open quarter-finals.
Despite her earlier successes, Zheng's ranking plummeted to as low as 160 due to her injury, forcing her to compete in a Grand Slam qualifying event for the first time in four years. "After coming back from injury, I felt I lost the energy and I forgot how to compete," she admitted, illustrating the mental and physical challenges she faced.
Now, with her recent performances in New York, Zheng seems to be regaining her form. She has played tightly contested matches, going to three sets in four of her six encounters in the tournament. Notably, she became the first qualifier to reach the women's fourth round at the US Open since Emma Raducanu, who won the title in 2021.
As she continues her campaign in the tournament, Zheng's composure under pressure was evident during her match against Keys. At a critical moment in the third set, she was forced to pause her service motion due to a crying baby in the crowd. "If it’s an adult, probably I will look at him very hard or start to speak, but it’s just a baby," Zheng joked, showcasing her ability to maintain focus amidst distractions.
With her victory over Keys, Zheng has not only advanced in the US Open but also reaffirmed her status as a formidable competitor on the international stage, demonstrating that she is ready to reclaim her place among the elite in women's tennis.
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