Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Zheng Qinwen Battles Back to Stun Swiatek at US Open
Zheng Qinwen beat Iga Swiatek in the fourth round of the U.S. Open.
Swiatek started strongly and led 5-0 in the first set.
Zheng then played better and won seven games in a row.
She saved three chances for Swiatek to win the set.
Zheng won the match 7-5, 6-3.
Swiatek received treatment for her left thigh during the second set but kept playing.
Zheng had come through qualifying and reached the quarterfinals.
Most reports say her next opponent will be Elena Rybakina, while one said it could be Rybakina or Naomi Osaka.
Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen defeated No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 in the U.S. Open fourth round.
Zheng recovered from 0-5 down, saved three set points and won seven consecutive games to take the opening set.
Swiatek received treatment on her left thigh after the third game of the second set but continued playing.
The victory made Zheng the first qualifier to reach the U.S. Open women’s singles quarterfinals since Emma Raducanu in 2021.
Zheng is listed to face second seed Elena Rybakina next, although one report described the potential opponent as Rybakina or Naomi Osaka.
- Who
- Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen defeated Poland’s Iga Swiatek.
- What
- Zheng won their U.S. Open fourth-round match 7-5, 6-3 after trailing 0-5 in the first set.
- When
- Monday during the 2026 U.S. Open.
- Where
- Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
- Why
- Zheng advanced by overcoming Swiatek’s early lead, saving three set points and winning in straight sets.
Zheng’s assessment
Swiatek’s assessment
What changed the match
Zheng’s assessment
Zheng said she started slowly, then played more freely, found her rhythm and focused on each point during her comeback.
Swiatek’s assessment
Swiatek said she was not solid enough, missed too many shots and might have won if she had played more consistently.
Handling the difficult moment
Zheng’s assessment
Zheng said her concentration became so strong that she lost track of the score and believed point-by-point focus was key.
Swiatek’s assessment
Swiatek said it was difficult to play more safely because she felt Zheng gave her little space, adding that Zheng’s level of solidity was better.
- Match result
- Zheng Qinwen defeated Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3.
- Tournament round
- U.S. Open women’s singles fourth round.
- Opening-set comeback
- Zheng rallied from 0-5 down and saved three set points.
- Second-set treatment
- A physio massaged Swiatek’s left thigh after the third game.
- Qualifier milestone
- Zheng became the first qualifier to reach the U.S. Open women’s quarterfinals since Emma Raducanu in 2021.
- Next opponent
- Reports identify second seed Elena Rybakina; one report also listed Naomi Osaka as a possibility.
- Head-to-head
- Zheng improved to 2-7 against Swiatek on the WTA Tour.
