Musa
Zheng Qinwen just served up the biggest plot twist of the Italian Open—and possibly of her season. In a jaw-dropping performance on the clay of Rome, the rising Chinese star finally cracked the code to defeat world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, notching her first win over the Belarusian in seven tries and booking a historic spot in the tournament’s semifinals.
Coming into the match, Zheng trailed Sabalenka 0-6 in their head-to-head, with most matches ending in straight sets. But on Thursday evening, under the golden haze of the Foro Italico, Zheng turned the tables with fearless hitting, tactical brilliance, and nerves of absolute steel. With a final scoreline of 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, she sent shockwaves through the draw and cemented herself as a true threat on clay.
“It took me seven matches, but I finally found a way,” Zheng said in her on-court interview, flashing a grin as the crowd erupted in applause.
Sabalenka, ever the competitor, graciously acknowledged her opponent’s grit, calling her “a different player today—confident, fast, and smart.”
Zheng’s win comes at a critical time in her career, with fans and pundits alike questioning when she’d get her signature win over a top-tier opponent. That time is now.
As the semifinals loom, all eyes will be on Zheng. If she can repeat the magic, Rome may become the turning point in her journey from rising star to genuine Grand Slam contender.
Olaniyi Ayoola
dam
Musa
Seun Oluwaseun