In a thrilling day of tennis at the US Open, China's Zheng Qinwen and Russia's Anastasia Potapova pulled off notable upsets to secure their places in the women's singles fourth round. Zheng, the first qualifier to reach this stage since Emma Raducanu's remarkable 2021 title run, overcame a challenging match against American Madison Keys, winning 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5. This victory marks a significant milestone for Zheng, who has battled back from a serious elbow injury that had seen her ranking drop dramatically.
Zheng's match was a rollercoaster, particularly in the final set where she found herself trailing 0-5. However, demonstrating remarkable resilience, she saved a match point at 1-5 and staged a remarkable comeback. "I just told myself to keep holding every single point, never give up, stay there. And somehow little by little it just happened," Zheng reflected on her comeback. This victory not only highlights her tenacity but also sets her up for a challenging match against six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the next round.
Meanwhile, Potapova also made headlines by defeating the 10th-seeded Amanda Anisimova with a scoreline of 6-2, 7-5. This victory marks Potapova's first appearance in the fourth round of the US Open, a significant achievement in her career as she continues to rise in the rankings. Just six months ago, Potapova found herself outside the top 100, but her recent performances have propelled her back into the top 25.
Potapova's resilience was evident as she twice recovered from a break down in the second set against Anisimova, showcasing her determination and skill on the court. She will next face fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva, the reigning French Open champion, who advanced after defeating Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).
On a day filled with surprises, American hopes took a hit as both Taylor Fritz and Amanda Anisimova exited the tournament. Fritz, the ninth seed, was stunned by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo, who rallied from two sets down to win 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Cerundolo's next challenge will be against Alexander Blockx, the 28th seed from Belgium, who eliminated French Open finalist Flavio Cobolli.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes continue to rise. Iga Swiatek, the eighth seed, also showcased her skills by defeating Maria Bouzkova in straight sets, demonstrating her readiness to contend for another title. Swiatek's performance, characterized by her ability to dominate tiebreakers, sets her up as a formidable opponent for Zheng.
With the competition heating up, fans can look forward to more exciting matches as the US Open moves into its later rounds. The emergence of players like Zheng and Potapova adds an intriguing dynamic to the tournament, reminding everyone of the unpredictable nature of tennis.
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