Zheng Qinwen earned her first victory over Aryna Sabalenka in seven meetings at the 2025 Italian Open. Courtesy of her dominant performance, the Chinese player finished the match in just 1 hour and 37 minutes.
The result was indeed a breakthrough moment for Zheng, who admitted it took her a while to consider Sabalenka a “normal player,” having witnessed her power while crossing paths during childhood.
Zheng Qinwen Shares Her Thoughts on Aryna Sabalenka
Zheng saved two break points in the fourth game of the first set to draw level (2-2). She immediately broke her opponent in the next game to secure the closely contested set 6-4. In the second set, the 22-year-old dominated from the outset, breaking Aryna Sabalenka twice to eventually close the match with a 6-4, 6-3 scoreline.
Zheng Qinwen, who is otherwise a confident performer, explained during her post-match press conference that having too much “respect” for the World No. 1 early on made it difficult for her to treat her like a normal player.
“Well, actually I am always a confident player. Doesn’t matter even if sometimes I made a bad result. I know if I’m really focused, if I’m really there, if I really wants to get it, I will make it. It’s just (that) I saw her play when I was 14, 15 years old. I think the few times when I faced her at the beginning, I gave too much respect. I didn’t face her like a normal player,” she said.
The World No. 8 also recalled how her father in 2017 suggested she master forehands and backhands by observing Sabalenka’s style. She thus required time to feel competitive against the three-time Grand Slam champion.
“I remember I was going to see her in 2017 in China Open. I was there as a junior. I see her in the finals. My father was there saying, ‘Oh, Sabalenka, you need to learn about her forehand, her backhand.’ I think this kind of respect takes a while for me to treat her like a normal player. So today I’m just happy that I stay really calm and I face her like a normal player and I did what I have to do. I’m just really happy to get the win,” the Olympic gold medalist added.
The win over Sabalenka was Zheng’s second career victory over a World No. 1 after Iga Swiatek at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also became the second woman from her country to reach the last four in Rome, after Li Na, who finished as a runner-up in 2012.
Zheng Qinwen to Face Coco Gauff in the Italian Open Semifinal
Next in line for Zheng Qinwen is fourth seed Coco Gauff. The American could pose a serious challenge to the Chinese, considering her recent form. Despite having early exits in the first four WTA 1000 events of the season, Gauff made a strong comeback in the clay-court swing, with a quarterfinal finish in Stuttgart and a runner-up finish in Madrid.
The 21-year-old has also dominated in Rome, winning all her matches in straight sets. Gauff defeated Russia’s Mirra Andreeva 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the quarterfinals to reach the last four of the WTA 1000 event.
Zheng and Gauff have competed twice on tour, with the latter winning on both occasions. Whoever prevails will face either the USA’s Peyton Stearns or home favorite Jasmine Paolini in the summit clash.
