NEW YORK – Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen orchestrated a stunning turnaround at the U.S. Open on Saturday, erasing a massive deficit to eliminate No. 22 seed Madison Keys in a three-set thriller.
Zheng, who vaulted to global prominence with her historic gold medal run for China at the 2024 Olympics, looked to be heading for an early exit after a lopsided opening set. Keys, the 2017 tournament runner-up, dominated the early proceedings and appeared firmly in control midway through the decider. After fighting off a match point while serving at 1-5 in the third set, Zheng embarked on a breathtaking rally, winning seven consecutive games to seal a 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory.
The collapse was a jarring reversal for Keys, who just two days prior had showcased her grit by surviving five match points in a grueling tiebreak win. This time, the momentum swung violently against her. As the lead evaporated, a visibly frustrated Keys resorted to repeatedly banging her racket against her head and pulling off her visor in disbelief as the match slipped through her fingers.
“I’m just telling myself keep holding every single point, never give up, stay there and somehow little by little it just happened,” Zheng said after the match.
The win marks a significant milestone in Zheng’s professional trajectory. Once ranked as high as No. 4, she has spent much of the current season battling back from elbow surgery, a journey that forced her to play through qualifying rounds just to secure her spot in the main draw. “The hard work pays off,” she added.
While Zheng celebrated her comeback, another American favorite saw her tournament run come to an abrupt end. Amanda Anisimova, a past U.S. Open runner-up, struggled to find her rhythm against No. 24 seed Anastasia Potapova. Anisimova failed to capitalize on critical moments throughout the match, converting only 3 of 16 break-point opportunities. Potapova, who now represents Austria, was clinical under pressure, going 6-for-8 on break points to secure a 6-2, 7-5 victory and match her career-best Grand Slam performance by reaching the fourth round.
The day’s results have set the stage for an intriguing progression in the women’s bracket. Following the afternoon matches, the spotlight shifted to two-time champion Naomi Osaka, who faced No. 23 seed Elise Mertens in the evening session. Meanwhile, defending U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff prepared for her third-round clash against Cristina Bucsa.
On the men’s side, top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who had been pushed to five sets in both of his previous rounds, looked to avoid further drama in his late-night matchup against No. 25 seed Alejandro Tabilo. As the tournament moves into the business end of the second week, the field continues to thin, leaving only the most resilient players in contention for the title in Flushing Meadows.
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