Miami Thriller: Djokovic Charges Ahead, While Zheng Qinwen Sadly Falls Short
Recently, the Miami Open is in full swing, drawing the attention of tennis fans worldwide to this prestigious tournament. Among the many matchups, the performances of Djokovic and Zheng Qinwen have undoubtedly captured the most Chinese fans' interest.
Djokovic advanced smoothly through the tournament, thanks to his outstanding skills and vast experience, while Zheng Qinwen, despite giving her all, unfortunately fell short in her tough battle against a formidable opponent.
Djokovic: Continuing the Legend, Stepping Toward a New Peak
Since 2019, Djokovic has returned to the Miami Open, and his comeback has undoubtedly become one of the tournament's major highlights. In the men’s singles second-round match, Djokovic delivered a stunning performance, easily defeating Japan’s Rinky Hijikata with a commanding 6-0, 7-6(1) victory in just 90 minutes, securing a dominant spot in the next round.
In the subsequent third-round match, Djokovic faced a tough challenge from Karabec. Despite his opponent giving it his all, Djokovic delivered an outstanding performance, securing a comfortable 6-1, 7-6(1) victory and advancing smoothly into the round of 16. Following this match, Djokovic not only claimed his 411st Masters Series win of his career but also surpassed Nadal to claim sole ownership of the all-time No. 1 spot in this prestigious category.
This morning, in the men's singles round of 16, Djokovic continued his impressive form, delivering a dominant offensive surge—winning nine consecutive games—to defeat Musetti 6-2, 6-2 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Miami Masters, steadily moving closer toward his quest for a record-breaking 100th career tour-level title.
As a rising star in Chinese women’s tennis, Zheng Qinwen has once again drawn the attention of countless fans at this year’s Miami Open. Seeded No. 9 in the tournament, Zheng received a first-round bye before facing American player Lauren Davis in the second round. Despite her opponent being significantly lower-ranked, Zheng showed no signs of complacency, delivering an impressive performance with 12 aces throughout the match. She ultimately secured a dominant straight-set victory, defeating Davis 6-1, 7-5, and advancing smoothly to the next round.
In the third round, Zheng Qinwen defeated American player Townsend 6-1, 7-6, securing a spot in the last 16 and matching her personal best performance at this tournament. Then, in the fourth round, Zheng Qinwen edged out Kruger 6-2, 7-6 (3), advancing to the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 event for the eighth time in her career—and once again setting a new personal best at the tournament.
However, in the women's singles quarterfinals, Zheng Qinwen faced world No. 1 Sabalenka. Despite giving her all during the match, Zheng was ultimately swept aside again by the powerful opponent, losing 0-2 [2-6, 5-7] and bowing out of the Miami Open in the quarterfinals. This marked the sixth time Zheng Qinwen has faced Sabalenka in her career—and once again, she failed to secure a single victory.
Looking back at the match, Sabalenka demonstrated her formidable strength, managing seven break points throughout the game and firmly controlling the pace. Meanwhile, Zheng Qinwen struggled slightly against her opponent in both her serve and handling crucial points. Although she ultimately fell short in the match, Zheng Qinwen’s relentless determination and fighting spirit earned her the respect and admiration of fans.
At the start of this season, Zheng Qinwen struggled with injuries, leaving her in less-than-ideal form. She was eliminated early in the second round of the Australian Open and also lost in her opening matches at both tournaments in the Middle East. However, at this year's Miami Open, we witnessed her growth and improvement, as her confidence—and performance—gradually began to rebound. See you on the clay court season!
