Introduction: Zheng Qinwen’s Historic US Open Journey
Miami, we got some exciting news from the tennis court! Zheng Qinwen has just made waves by becoming only the second Chinese woman ever to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open—not just once, but twice! Following the legendary Li Na’s footsteps, who accomplished this in 2009 and 2013, Zheng is now a name to remember in tennis history. Her latest match against Croatia’s Donna Vekic ended at an eye-popping hour that had fans buzzing.
Match Highlights: An Unforgettable Night
This past night, our girl Zheng pulled off a nail-biter against Vekic, sealing her quarter-final berth with a win that wrapped up at 2:15 AM! Not only does this victory mean the world to her, but it also sets a new record for the latest finish in a women’s match at the US Open—beating Maria Sakkari’s previous record of 2:13 AM set in 2021.
Here’s how the score went down:
– Final Score: 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 6-2
With this victory under her belt, Zheng is gearing up to face world number two, Aryna Sabalenka, on Tuesday. Fans are absolutely hyped for this match!
Player Reactions: The Fans and Frustrations
After a thrilling match, Zheng shared her excitement about playing late-night sessions, saying, “It’s two in the morning, it’s incredible! Thanks to the fans who have stayed to support me.” The atmosphere was electric, with dedicated fans cheering her on despite the late hour.
However, not everyone was in the celebrating mood. Andy Murray, the 2012 US Open champion, took to social media to express his frustration, branding the scheduling as “amateurish” and a “total mess.” He called for the Grand Slam organizers to fix the timing issues, highlighting a growing concern among players about these late finishes.
Scheduling Controversy: A Growing Concern
The late-night finishes have opened up a larger dialogue about player welfare in the world of tennis. While tournaments like the French Open and Australian Open have faced similar backlash, the ATP and WTA Tours recently introduced a rule that prohibits matches from starting after 11 PM. Unfortunately, this rule doesn’t extend to the four major tournaments, which set their own policies.
Coco Gauff, who recently exited the US Open, echoed this sentiment on the unhealthiness of matches finishing at such late hours, especially after witnessing Novak Djokovic’s match go until 3:07 AM at the French Open. Murray has also voiced concerns after playing until 4 AM in Australia earlier this year.
Conclusion: A Triumph and a Call to Action
As the excitement for Zheng’s upcoming bout against Sabalenka builds, the tennis community is left to navigate the implications of these late-night finishes. It’s a moment of triumph for Zheng, but it also serves as a wake-up call for the sport to prioritize player health and better scheduling practices.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it.
Yours truly, Mia