Story perspectives

Zheng Qinwen stuns Swiatek to reach US Open quarters

9/9/2026

Summary

Zheng Upsets Swiatek

Zheng Qinwen defeated Iga Swiatek in New York to reach the US Open quarterfinals.
She rallied from a 0-5 deficit to win the first set 7-5.
The win marked the first qualifier’s US Open quarterfinal since Emma Raducanu in 2021.
Zheng became the first lucky loser to beat Swiatek at a Grand Slam, ending her 15-0 run.
Ranked No. 121, she will face No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals.

Summary

Rybakina Eyes No.1

Rybakina can become world No. 1 by defeating Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-final.
Zheng Qinwen, 2024 Paris Olympic gold-medalist and former world No. 4, is ranked No. 121.
She underwent elbow surgery last year, which contributed to her ranking drop.
A win gives Rybakina a third Grand Slam and moves her ahead of Sabalenka even if Sabalenka wins.
The quarter-final features a qualifier, Zheng, against the No. 2 seed, highlighting a large ranking disparity.

History

Historical Context

In 2021 Emma Raducanu, an 18-year-old world No. 150, entered the US Open as a qualifier and won the women’s singles title without dropping a set, becoming the first qualifier to claim a major and the first British woman to win a slam since Virginia Wade in 1977. Her victory followed the first all-teen final since 1999, highlighting a new era for low-ranked players.

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Zheng Upsets Swiatek

Zheng Qinwen defeated Iga Swiatek in New York to reach the US Open quarterfinals.
She rallied from a 0-5 deficit to win the first set 7-5.
The win marked the first qualifier’s US Open quarterfinal since Emma Raducanu in 2021.
Zheng became the first lucky loser to beat Swiatek at a Grand Slam, ending her 15-0 run.
Ranked No. 121, she will face No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals.

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