Home · Sports · Sep 7 archive
Zheng stuns Swiatek after winning another set from 5-0 down
Confirmed
In Short: Zheng Qinwen overcame a 5-0 deficit to defeat Iga Swiatek and advance to the US Open quarter-finals.
Zheng Qinwen produced one of the biggest comebacks of the 2026 US Open, recovering from a 5-0 deficit in the first set to defeat eighth-seeded Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 and reach the quarter-finals. The 23-year-old from China had previously won a set from 5-0 down in her third-round match against Madison Keys, securing her spot in round four.
According to reports, Zheng's comeback against Swiatek was a testament to her resilience and determination. "The more matches I play, the more rhythm I have on court," she said after the match. Zheng, the reigning Olympic champion and former world number four, had dropped outside the top 100 earlier this year and was struggling to regain her best form following elbow surgery in July 2025.
Zheng's journey to the quarter-finals was not without challenges. She had to win three qualifying matches to reach the main draw and had previously lost to Swiatek in the semi-finals of the 2024 Olympics on her way to winning the singles gold in Paris. Despite landing just 43 per cent of her first serves, Zheng won 80 per cent of points behind her first serve, compared with 67 per cent for Swiatek.
Zheng will face either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. For Swiatek, a fourth-round exit is a disappointing end to her Grand Slam season, with a quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open her best result.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The second set was on serve until the seventh game, when Zheng crushed a powerful backhand return winner to secure a crucial break, and she broke again two games later to complete a 7-5 6-3 victory.
- And Zheng is not the first female qualifier to perform well at a Grand Slam in 2026 - Poland's Maja Chwalinska, who began the French Open at 114th in the world, lost to Russian teenager Andreeva in the final at Roland Garros.
- How £725 game-show winnings kick-started Champions League coach's career Kelce's last dance?
- 'Finally luck is on my side' - Zheng comes from match point down to beat Keys I can't relate to pressure Eala faces - Gauff Zheng's only win in eight previous meetings against Swiatek was in the semi-finals of the 2024 Olympics on her way to singles gold in Paris.
- Swiatek appeared in control after racing to a 5-0 lead, but Zheng won seven straight games to snatch the first set 7-5.