Toppling is never easy (but then again in tennis while things may look easy at times, it never really is easy)

In order to topple an icon or a giant or a dominating opponent you must have some leverage, some way to get under your adversary in order to push him or her over: Qinwen used a variety of tools to do this but the one she seemed to favor was any return shot out wide to Aryna's forehand side; Sabalenka often appeared slow to the ball despite a good stretching effort and erred into the alley or the net.

With a record of 0-6 against Aryna, Qinwen could hardly be called the favorite going into this match. But today Zheng was more precise and more agile than Sabalenka: she got a critical break in the fifth game of the first set and consolidated with the aid of expert serving as she closed in on the set win:
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Qinwen breaks Aryna in the first game of the second set, backs it up once again with a hold and with a 2-0 lead she's laser-focused on victory: Sabalenka had to fight to hold in the seventh game of the second set but Zheng was clearly the aggressor. Zheng had to dodge two break points to get to 5-3 in the second set. One more break on Aryna and it's game set match Zheng



A breakthrough and an Italian semi-final for Qinwen

 

A breakthrough and a Spanish semi-final for Qinwen

You know what country you're in?

 

 

Before you say it, yes, she tanked for RG

 

yes and oh, she was tired



well done, Q

can she repeat against Gauff?

 

The most glorious result in a while! Qinwen was so composed and strong tonight. What a star! Well done Qween

 

As a Sabalenka fan it was annoying but also good to see Qinwen maintain her level throughout the match.
Standing way back on the serve was clearly a plan which for the most part neutralised Sabalenka's first serve particularly as she was able to repeatedly get her returns deep.
After beating Sabalenka in finals Keys, Andreeva and Ostapenko haven't backed up that result in following tournaments. So if Gauff beats Qinwen, the RG may also be a problem.

 

omg Aryna DGAF about this match

 

Rest and relax before RG which is for the taking this year

 

Apparently, Sabalenka isn't important enough for her loss to crash the forum.

 

All Sabs fans are happy about this. Now she can focus on FO. No need to panic.

 

What a flop from Sabalenka, tuned into the ending

Qinwen vs Coco battle of marketability

 

So tuning into the ending you missed how well was returning in the first set as well as the second. Hence the simplistic analysis. Zheng's level didn't drop. Sabalenka couldn't break her serve. One of those matches where the opponent plays better.

 

 

@QINWEN-GOAT

 

Nice tank from Sabs! She couldn't tank to Kostyuk for obvious reasons but Zheng is another story. Now rest ant take that FO title!!

Good for Zheng, beat Coco please!

 

YES... the Qween marches on... wohooo!!

What a great win

 

My ears are partying like it's New Year's Eve.

 

Nice tank job Aryna. Now rest up for RG where it matters.

 

What!!!!...TF didn't blow a fuse.
So, Zheng winning the Olympics wasn't a sham.

 

Of course not. Only haters, and Iga stans (for obvious reasons) called her a fluke. Qinwen isn’t going anywhere and it’s about time she started to make a dent into the trio of Gauff- Sabalenka-Swiatek.

 

Yassss Queenwen! 😍
Hope she can reach the final here

 

In before TF's degraded servers go down.

Saba will regret not converting the 0-40 up in the penultimate return game

 

Zheng almost blew it at 4-3 facing 2 BPs but was CLUTCH and held serve. Aryna couldn't handle it.

 

Long overdue win, to be honest.

 

True, but slow clay was always gonna be Zheng best chance, plus it was a night match so even slower. And the fact that Sabalenka was gassed after so many matches and finals this season… it was the perfect opportunity and good for her that she capitalized on it.

 

 

Lol I guess that answers the tanking question

 

Qinwen beats Aryna and Iga for the first time on her 7th attempt 👯 Please don’t go that way when up against Coco 🙏

 

Damn, Sabalenka really bought those followers on Instagram. In theory, rather big upset and the forum is working without any problems.

 

The whole French Open favorite tag is meaningless anyway. I think it should be pretty clear to all there are several players who could walk away with the French Open title including Zheng.

As far as this match Zheng played smart and really confused Saba out there.

 

Zheng would be in a lower tier of favorites for the title. This is the best result she's had all year

 

Sabalenka didn't tank one bit. Stop the cope. She maybe underestimated QZ just a tad and thought "im gonna annihilate this cutthroat diva like I always do on HC" , and got smacked hard in the face instead. She was pissed as hell that Qinwen outplayed her in rallies.

 

I agree lol. She tanked to avoid... what exactly? 2 matches and to buy herself 3 extra days of preparation? I find it hard to believe anything she does between now and Saturday would help her prepare for RG better than having another match against Gauff in conditions similar to RG. Qinwen just outplayed her

 

Attagirl Queen!!! 💪

It's official players that SLAY current World # 1 or World # 2 or both automatically become monthly calendar girls in my GIANT SLAYERS CLUB.

Qinwen Zheng joins both Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins as the Miss May calendar girl in my GSC.

 

Great strategy by Sab to save energy for RG...