China’s Zheng Qinwen has finally earned her first win over Aryna Sabalenka after six previous defeats, including a loss in the 2024 Australian Open final. Zheng beat the world number one 6-4, 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open to reach the semi-finals.
After the match, Zheng admitted she used to give Sabalenka “too much respect,” which made it hard to play her confidently in the past. She recalled first noticing Sabalenka at the 2017 China Open and thinking of her as a player to study, not just to compete against.
“This time I was more relaxed and treated her like any other opponent,” Zheng said.
The 22-year-old added that playing on clay suits her better. “This is the first time we’ve played on clay, and I feel more comfortable and patient on this surface,” she explained.
Zheng’s strong performance comes just ahead of the French Open, which starts on 25 May. She will now face world number three Coco Gauff for a spot in the final.
Sabalenka had won nine matches in a row on clay before this defeat, but Zheng’s growing confidence shows she could be a serious threat in Paris later this month.
