Zheng defeats Vekic 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 access In the US Open quarterfinal
From the Olympic gold medal match to the round of 16 in the final slam of the season, Qinwen Zheng and Donna Vekic seize the moment and embrace the pressure. Zheng is only twenty-one, reached the final of the Australian Open to start the season and took home gold for China at the Paris Olympics. Since it was seeded and ranked seventh, it has a head-to-head lead 2-1.
Croatia’s Vekic is ranked #23 and seeded 24th. The twenty-eight-year-old had a fantastic spring season reaching the finals in Bad Homburg (l. Shnaider), the semis at Wimbledon (l. Paolini) and winning silver at the Olympics.
Over the course of the two days, Zheng dropped a set in each round while Vekic won three rounds in a row. Vekic was looking for his second Open quarterfinal after reaching that round 2019 (l. Bencic) while Zheng was looking for a second straight quarterfinal, losing to eventual finalist Aryna Sabalenka.
Zheng served first and opened with a stunning forehand down the line. Although he gave up double faults, he hit three aces in a row to hold! Vekic missed 4/6 he started worshiping but was caught 30 level.
(PHOTO / AP)
Zheng opened with three winners in a row including his fourth ace and despite another double fault, held 2-1 with an amazing interior front. Vekic plays with purpose and composure, hits three winners in a row, and is caught in love to the point.
Zheng made 4/6 He first served including his fifth ace in match point while Vekic faced three deuces and two break points but was caught with three outstanding winners including his first ace.
The Aussie Open finalist missed out 4/6 the first time you serve and now you are caught 30 while Vekic worked with newly made balls 4/5 The first serve includes an ace at level four. Zheng opened the ninth with a mishit before but held it 5-4 with two winners including his sixth ace.
Vekic serving to stay in the set made 3/6 he first served and was caught 5-5 with a stunning front down the middle. Zheng opened the eleventh with his third double fault but held on 30 for his seventh ace when Vekic did 4/4 first serve includes his third ace and holds on to force the breaker.
Zheng rushed to a 5-2 it led when Vekic double-faulted the first time and held it 7-2 to protect the opening set. Vekic served first for the second time. In this highly entertaining and highly competitive game, open with an amazing early offer and hold on 15.
Zheng opened with a stunning forehand win but struggled after that facing four deuces and two break points and dropped serve and a mishit forehand.
Vekic opened the third with a blistering forehand down the line but gave back the break with two more errors and two groundstroke errors. Zheng who works with new balls hit a 105mph use the tee to cover the break 2-2.
Vekic opened the fifth with his fourth ace and although he served another double fault, he held on 30 with his fifth ace and a stunning inside forehand. World #7 broke open with two straight faults and faced double point but was held by a forehand winner again 107mph use tea.
Exceptional shooting and concentration rivaled their incredible foot speed and courting. Vekic served his sixth double fault but it was easily caught 15 for 4-3 when Zheng did 3/4 you first serve including his eight ace and you are caught in love.
Vekic looked tired as he opened the ninth with his seventh error but had two consecutive monsters including his fifth ace, which was caught. 15 for 5-4.
Zheng who works to stay on the set faltered as the unforced errors continued to mount. Despite his ninth ace and a stunning overhead kick into the box, he faced three points and conceded it when Vekic crossed a forehand down the line.
The players left the field after the completion of the second set and although few fans remained in Arthur Ashe Stadium 1:30 in the morning, those who did were fully engaged and ready to go the distance.
Vekic served first in the decider and opened with an ace wide but was abandoned following two consecutive forehand errors. Zheng smelled blood and with two outstanding groundstroke winners, he combined for a break 2-0.
Vekic working with new balls missed 5/6 the first time you serve and now you are caught 30 to get on board. Zheng opened the fourth with a stunning forehand cross 13th shot, held at 30 for 3-1.
Vekic used the occasional moon ball to gain time and although he surrendered his seventh error and faced two deuces and a break point, he held 2-3 with a stunning forehand down the line and two more aces.
Zheng missed 3/6 he started to work including his sixth foul but he was able to hold on 30 to keep the lead. Vekic missed 4/4 First serve included his eighth double fault and was dropped following three break points.
Zheng worked for the coveted spot in the set pieces and although he opened with an overcooked backhand, he hit his tenth ace and secured victory when Vekic served two consecutive unforced errors.
It was a thrilling encounter that showcased the best in women’s tennis. After three hours, only seven points separated the scorers. Vekic finished with nine aces, too 8 double mistakes and won 72First % once 49% of secondary supply points. He was more efficient than Zheng in scoring the second time 59% to 51% in a row but was struggling on break points with just a win 2/7.
Zheng was involved in a remarkable success 81First % once 41% of second serve points and was solid in saving break points 5/7 while we are converting 3/8. He hit 10 aces of 6 double faults and was beaten 33 winners to 21 unforced errors.
Aryna Sabalenka #2 seeds are waiting in places. The two-time Australian Open champion leads the way 2-0 including the last down under this past January and the quarters last year at Flushing Meadows. With the finals on the line, this promises to be a great battle between worthy opponents.
