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Jiang Chuqin

Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese tennis player to reach an Olympic singles gold medal match as she upset world No 1 Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros.
The shock semi-final result on Thursday was the Polish top seed’s first loss at the home of clay since 2021.
Her third straight French Open title at the same venue this year – her fourth there overall – ensured she would arrive at the Paris Games as overwhelming favourite to top the podium. But she was beaten 6-2, 7-5 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
The 23-year-old had never lost to Zheng in their six past meetings, and had won her previous 20 clay-court matches.
“I feel more than just happy – happy isn’t enough to describe how I feel,” Zheng, 21, said after lying on the court to savour her win.

She took advantage of numerous Swiatek errors to win the first set, before the Pole appeared revived by a 10-minute break and quickly stretched out to a 4-0 lead in the second.
Zheng battled back to 5-5, and more Swiatek errors from the baseline gave the No 7-ranked Chinese the chance to serve out the match.
The previous day, Zheng had played her second three-hour match in a row, overcoming Angelique Kerber of Germany, but she indicated playing for her country had given her the determination to keep going.
“I am very exhausted from lack of sleep,” she said after beating a current world No 1 for the first time. “My body has reached the limit. But I had extra energy supporting me in this game.
“If you ask me to play another three hours for my country, I would.”
Next for Zheng in the final on Saturday will be the winner between Croatia’s Donna Vekic and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia.
Runner-up at the Australian Open in January, Zheng has assured China a first medal in Olympic singles tennis.
By making the final, she surpassed the best finish of Chinese trailblazer Li Na, who finished fourth in the women’s event at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The result was hailed on Chinese social media, where Zheng’s run in the tournament has been making waves.
“She finally surpassed her idol Li Na in her blessed place!” one person said on Weibo. “Now she will aim for the first tennis gold in China’s history. Fighting! Queen Wen!”
“Tonight belongs to China’s tennis,” another said. “I watched her two tough games and every game made me burst into tears.”


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Zheng Qinwen celebrates her semi-final victory over Iga Swiatek. Photo: Xinhua

Zheng Qinwen lies on the court celebrating her win. Photo: Xinhua

Zheng Qinwen’s win sent her into Saturday’s final. Photo: Xinhua

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

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Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

China

World No 1 and queen of clay beaten in straight sets as Zheng storms into gold medal match


World No 1 and queen of clay beaten in straight sets as Zheng storms into gold medal match.


Zheng Qinwen (鄭欽文)