Friday in Madrid brought a surprising twist in the tennis world as Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen bowed out with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Russia's Anastasia Potapova. Known for her powerful play, the Chinese tennis star faced a tough challenge on a warm, sunny afternoon in the Spanish capital. 🎾
Seeded eighth and coming off her victory at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Zheng struggled to find her rhythm. Her serve, a key part of her game, only connected on 40% of first-serve points, while Potapova maintained a solid 64% success rate, keeping the pressure high.
There was a brief glimpse of hope when Zheng broke Potapova's serve while trailing 5-3 in the first set. However, Potapova quickly retaliated, breaking Zheng's serve in the 10th game to clinch the set 6-4. In the second set, despite a moment of improved serving after an early break, Zheng couldn’t sustain her momentum and was broken again in the later games.
This elimination in the round of 64 means that no Chinese players remain in either the men’s or women’s singles draws at Madrid. The tournament also witnessed other stunning results, with upsets involving seeded players like Ons Jabeur, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Amanda Anisimova, adding extra drama to an already unpredictable event.
While Zheng's exit is a setback, it’s a reminder of how every point counts in tennis. The sport’s unpredictability is what keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Stay tuned for more electrifying matches and inspiring comebacks from your favorite stars!
Reference(s):
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen bows out in second round at Madrid Open
cgtn.com
