World No.7 Zheng Qinwen‘s extraordinary Asian swing continues to captivate tennis fans at the prestigious Toray Pan Pacific Open. On Saturday, the rising star, just 23 years old, triumphed in the semifinals against Diana Shnaider with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3, effectively securing her place in her second consecutive Hologic WTA Tour final. As she aims to clinch her third title of the season, Zheng will face off against the formidable 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin, in the title match on Sunday.
Zheng has showcased an impressive performance since Wimbledon, winning 27 of her last 31 matches. During this remarkable stretch, she celebrated her first title of the season at the Palermo Ladies Open and astonishingly brought home Olympic gold. She further solidified her prowess by reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open and making her first appearances in both the semifinal and final at significant events, the China Open and Dongfeng Voyah · Wuhan Open, respectively.
Zheng enters Sunday’s highly anticipated final boasting an outstanding 11-2 record in her Asian swing this year. This marks her second consecutive appearance on Championship Sunday in Tokyo, following her debut WTA final just two years ago, which marked a significant milestone in her budding career.
Tokyo serves as Zheng’s last regular season tournament before she embarks on an exciting journey to Saudi Arabia, where she will make her tournament debut at the WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF, further underlining her growing prominence in the sport.
In their inaugural head-to-head clash, both players exhibited their extraordinary talents; Zheng raced to a commanding 4-0 lead before Shnaider, showcasing her immense resilience, clawed her way back to push the first set to a tense tiebreak. Although Zheng led 5-3 and had multiple chances to serve out the set, Shnaider’s relentless baseline battle allowed her to fend off four set points, thus intensifying the encounter.
The players remained evenly matched in the tiebreak until Zheng, displaying her poise under pressure, broke the deadlock at 5-5. This allowed her to secure her fifth set point, which she clinched with an unreturnable serve, ultimately taking the pivotal first set after a grueling 69 minutes. With a set in hand, Zheng wrapped up her 47th victory of the year in a total time of 1 hour and 49 minutes.
While Tokyo has further confirmed Zheng’s upward trajectory in the sport, it has simultaneously served as a remarkable stage for 155th-ranked Kenin’s resurgence. The American ace advanced to her first final of the year, overcoming Katie Boulter with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-4. This victory marked Kenin’s impressive third win over a Top 10 seed this week, showcasing her undeniable skill after defeating No.10 seed Wang Xinyu and No.3 seed Daria Kasatkina.
With her path to the Tokyo final, Kenin is on track to make a significant return to the Top 100 in the PIF WTA Rankings on Monday. Eager to break a four-year title drought since her last conquest at the 2020 Lyon tournament, she is determined to reclaim her status among the elite in women’s tennis.
Kenin bounces Boulter to make first final of the season in Tokyo
Interview with Zheng Qinwen: Rising Star of Tennis
Interviewer: Zheng, congratulations on your fantastic semifinal win here at the Toray Pan Pacific Open! How does it feel to reach your second consecutive WTA Tour final?
Zheng Qinwen: Thank you so much! It feels incredible to be back in the final. I’ve worked really hard, and reaching this stage again is a testament to my commitment and growth as a player. I’m excited for the challenge ahead!
Interviewer: You’ve had an impressive run since Wimbledon. Winning 27 out of your last 31 matches is no small feat. What do you attribute this success to?
Zheng Qinwen: I think it’s a combination of factors. I’ve been focusing more on my mental game, staying strong and confident. My team has been amazing, providing me with all the support I need. Also, competing in various tournaments has helped me to build rhythm and adapt my game.
Interviewer: You mentioned the upcoming final against Sofia Kenin, a formidable opponent. What’s your strategy going into that match?
Zheng Qinwen: Sofia is a tough competitor, and I respect her game a lot. I plan to stick to my strengths—being aggressive and maintaining my focus. I’ll try to play my game and stay patient during crucial points. Ultimately, it’s about believing in myself and executing my plan.
Interviewer: You’re also heading to the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia after the tournament here. How are you preparing for that transition?
Zheng Qinwen: It’s definitely exciting! I’ll take it one step at a time. Right now, I’m focused on the final in Tokyo. After that, I’ll analyze and adjust for the WTA Finals. Competing at that level is an amazing opportunity, and I want to give my best.
Interviewer: how important is it for you to continue building on your momentum from this Asian swing into the final and beyond?
Zheng Qinwen: It’s very important! These tournaments mean a lot to my confidence and ranking. I want to keep this momentum going, not just for myself, but for all the fans who support me. I’m eager to keep pushing my limits and achieve more.
Interviewer: Thank you, Zheng! Best of luck in the final and your future tournaments.
Zheng Qinwen: Thank you! I appreciate the support and hope to make everyone proud!
Zheng Qinwen: Sofia is a tough competitor with a lot of experience, especially in high-pressure situations. My strategy is to play my game, stick to my strengths, and maintain focus throughout the match. I need to be aggressive but also patient when necessary.
Interviewer: You have become a fan favorite throughout the tournament. How does it feel to have such support from the crowd here in Tokyo?
Zheng Qinwen: The support from the fans means everything to me. It really energizes me on the court. Knowing that they are cheering for me gives me extra motivation to perform at my best. I appreciate each and every person who comes out to watch.
Interviewer: This is your last stop before heading to the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia. How do you plan to carry this momentum into the rest of the season?
Zheng Qinwen: I’m going to take things one step at a time. Each match is an opportunity to learn and improve. The experience of playing in the WTA Finals will be invaluable, and I’m looking forward to competing against some of the best players in the world. I will definitely use the confidence I’ve gained here to keep pushing forward.
Interviewer: Lastly, any message for your fans watching you during the final?
Zheng Qinwen: I just want to say thank you for believing in me. Your support inspires me every day. I’ll give it my all in the final, and I hope to make you proud!
Interviewer: Thank you, Zheng! We wish you the best of luck in the final!
Zheng Qinwen: Thank you! I’m excited!
