Dramatic US Open Comeback
Qinwen Zheng Stages Stunning Comeback to Reach US Open Fourth Round
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Key Points
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Zheng broke Keys three times during her seven-game comeback and completed the victory in two hours and 28 minutes.
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Zheng became the first qualifier to reach the U.S. Open women’s singles fourth round since Emma Raducanu, who went on to win the 2021 title.
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Keys dominated the opening set in 23 minutes, taking 20 of the final 23 points, but Zheng won six of the last seven points in the second-set tiebreaker, including three winners.
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After her loss, Keys said she became scared and felt unable to swing despite taking an early lead: “Tennis just feels really hard right now, so I feel like that kind of took over.”
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Iga Swiatek reached the fourth round by defeating Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), setting up the meeting with Zheng; Swiatek is a former world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion.
Qinwen Zheng staged one of the U.S. Open's most stunning comebacks, erasing a 5-0 deficit in the final set to beat No. 22 Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 and reach the fourth round Bradenton. The 2024 Olympic champion, who dropped to No. 121 after elbow surgery and had to qualify for the tournament, won the last seven games straight in just two hours and 28 minutes Bradenton.
Zheng will face No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek in the fourth round after the Polish star defeated Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) Miami Herald. Zheng's victory marks only the second time a qualifier has reached the U.S. Open women's fourth round since Emma Raducanu won the entire tournament in 2021 Bradenton.
Keys Dominated Early, Then Lost Her Nerve
Madison Keys crushed the opening set in just 23 minutes, taking 20 of the final 23 points News Observer. But after building that massive lead in the third set, Keys said fear took over. "Tennis just feels really hard right now, so I feel like that kind of took over," she told reporters Eldorado News. She saved a match point during the rally but couldn't hold on.
Zheng Breaks Back Three Times in Final Set
Down 5-0, Zheng stopped playing defensively and started attacking. She broke Keys' serve three times during her comeback run Island Packet. In the tiebreaker of the second set, Zheng won six of the last seven points, including three outright winners to force a decider Bradenton. The momentum shift was total and swift.
From Qualifier to Swiatek Showdown
Zheng had to earn her spot at the U.S. Open through qualifying rounds after dropping out of the rankings due to elbow surgery Bradenton. Now she faces Swiatek, a former world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion Miami Herald. This unlikely path — from unranked qualifier to facing an elite seed in the fourth round — shows just how far Zheng has clawed back from injury.
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