Zheng Qinwen's Historic US Open Clash Advances Her to Quarterfinals

Zheng Qinwen defeated Donna Vekic in a gripping rematch of their Olympic final, advancing to the U.S. Open quarterfinals. The match, which ended at 2:15 a.m., marked the latest finish in women’s tournament history. Zheng, who secured China's first tennis singles gold last month, triumphed despite Vekic’s comfort on hard courts.

Zheng Qinwen defeated Donna Vekic in a dramatic rematch of their Olympic final, moving on to the U.S. Open quarterfinals with a 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-2 victory early Monday morning. The match concluded at 2:15 a.m., the latest finish ever for a women's match in the tournament's history.

The match lasted 2 hours and 50 minutes, a significantly tougher and longer challenge compared to Zheng's previous win over Vekic in Paris, where she helped China clinch their first singles gold in tennis. Vekic proved more formidable on the U.S. Open's hard courts, where she is more at ease than the clay at Roland Garros.

Zheng has shown immense prowess on hard courts, having reached the Australian Open final earlier this year where she was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka. She is set to face Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed who also beat her in last year's quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows, on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)