Zheng Qinwen's remarkable comeback victory over Madison Keys sets up a high-stakes fourth-round clash against Aryna Sabalenka at the Miami Open. The 23-year-old Chinese tennis star advanced to the last 16 for the third time in her career after defeating the former Australian Open champion and 15th seed in a three-set thriller (4-6, 6-2, 6-4). This follows her earlier straight-sets win over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens (6-3, 6-2), marking her second consecutive triumph over Grand Slam winners. Zheng described the Keys match as a challenging encounter, praising the American's powerful play and the difficulty of adapting to the intense pace. "Madison's ball was like a bomb for me, and I couldn’t react quick enough," she said in her post-match interview. "I haven’t played in a match with this kind of speed for a long time, so it took me some time to adapt. But I really enjoy playing in Miami, so I hope I can stay in the tournament a while longer." The victory marks Zheng's first significant success since the arrival of her new coach, Marcos Baghdatis, who joined her team at the Indian Wells tournament. She acknowledged the support of her long-time coach, Pere Riba, and expressed optimism about her new partnership. "I always want to have a second coach," she said. "Marco just joined at Indian Wells, and I really hope we can work well together." Zheng also reflected on her six-month layoff following elbow surgery last summer, calling the break "boring" without tennis. "I love tennis, and I love to play tennis," she said. "Competing with all the girls and being in front of the crowd during intense matches is what I miss most." Her next challenge will be facing world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed in Miami.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #madison_keys #zheng_qinwen #marcos_baghdatis
Sabalenka to meet Zheng in high-stakes Miami showdown Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen will face off in the Miami Open Round of 16 after both players advanced with strong performances in their third-round matches. Sabalenka defeated Caty McNally in straight sets, while Zheng staged a remarkable comeback against Madison Keys to secure her first victory over a Top 20 player since her return to the WTA Tour following elbow surgery. The clash marks Zheng’s ninth meeting with Sabalenka, with the World No. 1 seeking to extend her winning streak against the Belarusian star. Zheng’s victory over Keys was a pivotal moment in her resurgence. After struggling to keep up with the American’s powerful shots in the first set, Zheng turned the tide in the second and third sets, ultimately prevailing 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. The win marked her first triumph over a Top 20 opponent since Roland Garros in 2025 and highlighted her improved form following her recovery. Zheng, who had previously lost her first six matches against Sabalenka, now aims to break that losing streak and end the World No. 1’s bid for a second consecutive Miami title. Sabalenka’s path to the Round of 16 was more methodical. She dominated McNally, winning 10 of the last 12 games in a 6-4, 6-2 victory. The Belarusian star showcased her ability to control rallies, particularly in the second set, where she broke McNally for the third time to seal the match. Sabalenka emphasized her focus on maintaining consistency, stating, “I’ll focus on myself. I’ll focus on my game. I’ll try to stay focused from the first point till the last.” Zheng’s comeback against Keys was marked by a dramatic turnaround. After trailing 0-40 on serve in the second set, she adjusted her approach and surged ahead, finishing with 31 winners compared to Keys’ 15.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #round_of_16 #wta_tour #zheng_qinwen
