Qinwen Zheng: "My life has been very boring without tennis" Qinwen Zheng’s tennis career hit a pause last summer after a first-round exit at Wimbledon, followed by an elbow injury that sidelined her for months. Since then, she has competed in just four tournaments, but her return to form has been notable. At the Miami Open 2026, she advanced to the round of sixteen, where she will face Aryna Sabalenka. Ahead of her match, Zheng reflected on the months she spent away from the sport, describing her life as “very boring without tennis.” Speaking after her victory over Madison Keys, Zheng expressed her deep connection to the sport. “There are many things I like about the circuit, such as competing against the other girls or playing in front of the audience in big stadiums,” she said. “I missed these types of matches. During these six months, my life has been very boring without tennis. I love tennis. I like everything about this world, there is nothing I dislike.” Her comments highlight the emotional and psychological toll of prolonged absence from competition. While her physical recovery has progressed, the mental challenge of adapting to a life without the sport she loves has been significant. Zheng’s return to the court has been marked by determination, as evidenced by her performance in Miami. Her ability to quickly regain form suggests that her passion for tennis remains undiminished. The tournament has also provided a platform for Zheng to reestablish her presence in the sport. Her victory over Keys, a former top-ten player, underscores her growing confidence and competitiveness. As she prepares to face Sabalenka, a player known for her power and consistency, Zheng’s focus on the present moment reflects her commitment to rebuilding her career.#tennis #aryna_sabalenka #madison_keys #miami_open_2026 #qinwen_zheng
Tennis Betting Tips: Cirstea to KO Coco in Miami The second week of the 2026 Miami Open is underway, with the tournament progressing to the round-of-16 stage. Despite weather disruptions in the opening week, the competition remains competitive, particularly on the women’s side. Sorana Cirstea, the Romanian No. 1, is set to face Cori “Coco” Gauff in a round-of-16 clash, with betting tips suggesting Cirstea is a strong favorite. Cirstea, 35, is in her 20th and final season on the WTA Tour after announcing her retirement last December. She has dominated this year’s schedule, winning 18 of her first 22 matches, including a 250 title in Cluj, Romania, where she defeated British No. 1 Emma Raducanu in straight sets. Her recent form includes victories over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 13 Linda Noskova, though she has struggled against top-20 players like Osaka and Sabalenka. Her upcoming match against Gauff marks her first encounter with the American No. 1, who has shown resilience in the tournament but faces tougher challenges ahead. Gauff, 22, has bounced back from set-downs in her opening matches against Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Alycia Parks, but her recent performances suggest she may struggle against more experienced opponents. She has faced setbacks in 2026, including a loss to 48th-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the United Cup and a defeat to Cocciaretto in the Doha Open. Her double-fault issues have also plagued her, with 19 errors recorded in two Miami Open matches, compared to Cirstea’s nine across three. Analysts note that Cirstea’s consistent serving and recent form make her a strong contender for a significant win. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 4, continues her dominance at the Miami Open, having not dropped a set in her matches against Ann Li and Caty McNally.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #sorana_cirstea #cori_gauff #qinwen_zheng
