Zheng Qinwen Dominates Niemeier to Reach U.S. Open Fourth Round

China's Zheng Qinwen secured a decisive win against Germany's Jule Niemeier in the U.S. Open. With a powerful display, she advanced to the fourth round, overcoming slow starts in the previous rounds. Zheng's victory sets up a match against either Donna Vekic or Peyton Stearns.

China's Zheng Qinwen shrugged off sluggish starts in her initial rounds at the U.S. Open, conquering unseeded German Jule Niemeier 6-2, 6-1 on Friday.

The Olympic gold medalist and 7th seed unleashed eight aces and converted five break points on the Grandstand hard court, achieving her first straight-sets win in this year's final major. Niemeier, hampered by a foot injury, committed five double faults and barely held serve in three games, wrapping up the match in a swift hour and 21 minutes.

Zheng was in fine form from the outset, launching two aces early and breaking Niemeier's serve in the fifth game to command the match, energizing Chinese supporters in the stands. Her cross-court forehand secured a second service break as Niemeier's return hit the net.

Zheng stormed ahead with seven straight points to open the second set, cruising to victory and redeeming her third-round defeat to the German in her debut U.S. Open in 2022. She now awaits a fourth-round confrontation with either Donna Vekic or Peyton Stearns, who play later on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies.)