Zheng Qinwen earns her first victory against Sabalenka, overcoming a "mountain" to advance into the semifinals!

In the early hours of May 15, Beijing time, the WTA 1000 Rome tournament delivered a thrilling women’s singles quarterfinal matchup, as China’s “Golden Flower” Zheng Qinwen stormed past World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This victory marked a career-defining breakthrough for Zheng, as it was her first-ever win against the top-ranked player in their seven previous encounters—and it also propelled her powerfully into the semifinals of the Rome event!

Previously, Zheng Qinwen and Sabalenka had already clashed fiercely six times, but unfortunately, each time the victory seemed to tilt in Sabalenka's favor. While Zheng didn’t lack opportunities in these past encounters, she did fall slightly short of her powerful opponent—particularly when it came to capitalizing on crucial points and managing her mental game under pressure. Yet, it was precisely these tough losses that allowed Zheng to grow increasingly familiar with Sabalenka’s playing style and patterns, helping her pinpoint her own areas for improvement. And today, that hard-earned insight ultimately paved the way for her well-deserved triumph.

Reaching the Rome tournament, this match carries special significance—marking the first time these two players will face off on clay. Zheng Qinwen has recently been regaining her form, having reached the quarterfinals at Rome for three consecutive years. Her strength on clay courts is certainly not to be underestimated. Meanwhile, although Sabalenka was once thought to struggle on red clay, she’s delivered standout performances this season, clinching a title in Madrid and finishing as runner-up in Stuttgart—proof that her progress on clay is undeniable.

At the start of the match, both players held their serves in the first three games of the opening set, giving Sabalenka a 2-1 lead. But Zheng Qinwen remained calm—saving two break points in the fourth game to hold her own serve—and then, in the fifth game, she seized her chance with a delicate drop shot that earned her a break opportunity, quickly converting it to take a 3-2 lead. This crucial break proved to be the turning point of the first set. From there, both players continued to hold their serves, with Zheng Qinwen extending her advantage to 5-4. In the tenth game, Zheng Qinwen unleashed her full power, delivering two powerful aces for direct points, ultimately closing out the set 6-4.

Carrying the momentum from her first-set victory, Zheng Qinwen pressed her advantage in the second set. Right from the opening game, she broke her opponent's serve with a high-quality return, then followed up with four consecutive points to clinch the second set, taking a commanding 2-0 lead. The rest of the match saw both players locked in an intense battle, with every point played fiercely and thrillingly. Although Sabalenka managed to save four break points in the seventh game to level the score, Zheng Qinwen remained unstoppable, maintaining her composure to hold and break again before closing out the match 6-3, advancing confidently into the semifinals of the Rome tournament.

Looking back at the entire match, Zheng Qinwen boasted an impressive first-serve point rate of 82%, which proved to be one of the key factors behind her victory. Despite her opponent's powerful serves and aggressive attacks, Zheng delivered a stellar defensive performance, saving all five break points she faced throughout the match—showcasing remarkable mental strength and unwavering determination. On the offensive end, she confidently took the initiative, using precise shot placement and solid, forceful hits to dominate Sabalenka.

Zheng Qinwen, who clinched this match, couldn’t hide her excitement as she posted on social media: "Mountains and seas can all be conquered—reaching the semifinals in Rome." These few simple words carry profound emotions and sheer joy, as she finally overcame the "mountain" that is Sabalenka, achieving a personal breakthrough.

After reaching the semifinals for the first time this season, Zheng Qinwen will now face No. 4 seed Gauff in her next match to a spot in the final. Gauff, too, is a formidable opponent, making this semifinal clash sure to be another intense battle. But with her hard-fought victory over Sabalenka under her belt, Zheng Qinwen has undoubtedly gained both confidence and valuable experience—qualities that will surely enable her to give it her all in the upcoming matches and continue delivering thrilling surprises for us.