Zheng Qinwen beats Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 to reach US Open quarterfinals

Back-to-back comebacks from 0-5 deficits

Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen advanced to the US Open quarterfinals on Monday by defeating eighth seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Swiatek established a 5-0 lead in the opening set within 20 minutes before Zheng altered the course of the match. The 23-year-old saved two set points while Swiatek served at 5-1 and turned away a third set point at 5-3, taking seven consecutive games to win the opener. Swiatek requested a medical timeout for a physio massage on her left thigh after the third game of the second set, but Zheng maintained control and converted her fourth match point to close out the victory. The result marks Zheng's second straight escape from a 5-0 deficit, following a third-round win against 22nd seed Madison Keys where she recovered from 0-5 down in the deciding set to win 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5.

Rebuilding form after surgery

Zheng entered the tournament ranked 121st in the world following an extended recovery from chronic right elbow surgery. After winning Olympic singles gold in 2024 and reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 4, Zheng played only one competitive event between July 2025 and February 2026. The layoff led to first-round exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier in 2026, forcing her into the qualifying rounds in New York. Zheng credited her turnaround to an intensive training block at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, arranged after a straight-sets qualifying loss to Lanlana Tararudee in Toronto. Zheng became the first qualifier to reach the women's singles quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows since Emma Raducanu won the championship in 2021.

Psychologically, it is very difficult to accept. I mean, I used to be top 10, Olympic champion. I've played in the big stadiums since the beginning.

Tactical scrutiny and Swiatek's season finish

The defeat ended Swiatek's campaign and finalized her first season without a Grand Slam singles title since 2021. Swiatek entered Monday with a 7-1 head-to-head record against Zheng, with her only prior loss occurring in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Television analyst and former world No. 1 Mats Wilander pointed to serving vulnerabilities as a primary factor in the outcome.

Swiatek really could not do anything. She needs to serve better, the serve has to be a weapon in women's tennis today and hers is not really a weapon. She has to work on that serve.

Former British No. 1 Johanna Konta observed that Swiatek showed hesitation beginning at 5-2 in the opening set once Zheng found her rhythm from the baseline.

Quarterfinal lineup at Flushing Meadows

Zheng will face second seed Elena Rybakina on Wednesday in what will be Zheng's eighth match of the tournament. Rybakina secured her quarterfinal berth by defeating two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4. A quarterfinal victory would elevate Rybakina to world No. 1 in the WTA rankings, replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the top spot.

I want to achieve that, that is one of my goals. If I play like today, I have every chance.

In other fourth-round action, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva advanced with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over 24th seed Anastasia Potapova to reach her deepest stage in New York.