customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

summary

updatedDate

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Meredith Chen

Chinese social media was abuzz with excitement after Zheng Qinwen reached the women’s singles tennis semi-finals with an epic victory over three-time grand slam champion Angelique Kerber.
The 21-year-old fell to the ground and threw her racquet in the air in celebration after her three-hour 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 triumph at Roland Garros.
It saw her match Li Na’s result at her home Games in 2008 and gave Zheng the chance to go one better and play for a medal in Paris.
“Today’s match was incredibly tough,” Zheng said in the post-match interview. “I know what this game means for the Chinese team, and I have always wanted to win an Olympic medal for China.
“When I was trailing 4-1, there was a spirit that supported me; I saw the national flag on the podium. I’m very glad to have won this match!”
Her fans were gripped by the action on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
“Zheng’s tears and sweat mingled, while Kerber gracefully exited the stage – her final Olympic match, and also the last of her professional career. Truly, the intensity, the twists, and the emotions were comparable to a movie,” one user commented on Weibo.
“As a spectator, I couldn’t help but wonder if there were moments during the match when they considered giving up. They were so exhausted! Their bodies were truly at their limits! But both of them didn’t give up!”


IOC’s complicated election rules could block Sebastian Coe’s bid to become president

Australia hockey star nets 12-month ban after attempted cocaine purchase at Paris Olympics

Diver Tom Daley calls for lifting of Olympic age rules, despite own ‘tough’ Beijing debut

Olympics, Paralympics were a success for Paris but a calamity for some of its businesses

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Paris Olympics: Zheng Qinwen’s tennis heroics spark praise on Chinese social media

Zheng Qinwen has already matched China’s greatest-ever result in the women’s tennis singles at the Olympics. Photo: AP

Pan Zhanle’s Olympic gold medal win ‘not humanly possible’, Australian coach says

China’s Pan Zhanle (centre) won the gold medal in the 100m freestyle but the coach of Australia’s Kyle Chalmers (left) expressed suspicion. Photo: Reuters

Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle stormed to victory in record-breaking fashion in the 100-metre freestyle. Photo: Reuters

Pan Zhanle slams ‘disrespectful’ rivals, while Chinese fans lash out at ‘arrogant Westerners’

China’s Pan Zhanle said his handshake attempt (left) was snubbed by Australian rival Kyle Chalmers.

Gold medallist Pan Zhanle (centre) on the podium with Australia’s Kyle Chalmers (left), who won silver, and Romania’s David Popovici. Photo: Reuters

‘Fangirl moment’: China’s top divers star-struck as Eileen Gu gatecrashes Paris Olympics

Skier Eileen Gu dropping in to surprise the Chinese diving team at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Reuters

Paris Olympics track and field schedule, key dates: all you need to know

United States sprinter Noah Lyles is the world 100m and 200m champion and gunning for gold in Paris. Photo: AP

United States’ Sha’Carri Richardson is looking to make up for lost time after missing Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

Felix Diu will be at the Paris Olympics representing Hong Kong in the 100m. Photo: Jonathan Wong

 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is looking to become the woman with the most Olympics medals in history. Photo: EPA

Simone Biles’ beef with ex-teammate MyKayla Skinner leads to ‘block’ on social media

Simone Biles become the most decorated gymnast  in Olympics history with her most-recent gold medal win. Photo: AP

Former Team USA gymnast MyKayla Skinner blocked Simone Biles after poking criticism at Biles’ team. Photo: Jordan Chiles 

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

China

The Buzz

Tennis

The 21-year-old reaches semi-finals and speaks of her desire to win a medal for China


The 21-year-old reaches semi-finals and speaks of her desire to win a medal for China.
