Zheng Sets Swiatek Rematch In Rainy San Diego; Two Cocos Today
Now 20, Chinese prodigy Qinwen Zheng will try her hand against Iga Swiatek once again, this time in San Diego.
The two met in at the French Open in Swiatek’s toughest test in the tournament, with the world No. 1 coming out ahead in three sets.
Swiatek went on to win the French and last month took the US Open before losing Sunday to Barbora Krejcikova in Ostrava.
Zheng had lost in qualifying in San Diego but got in via a lucky loser when Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdrew. She then received a retirement from Garbine Muguruza yesterday. The Spaniard pulled the plug down 5-0 due to a gastro illness.
“Actually, yesterday I could also sign in as lucky loser but I didn’t choose to sign in because I was having an issue with my body,” said Zheng who injured her ankle in her final round qualifying loss to Camila Osorio.
“Today I was feeling better so I decided with my team to sign in as a lucky loser. I was lucky to get into the draw and I had a good. match today. To get into the next round, it’s double lucky.”
Zheng looked ahead to tomorrow’s clash with Swiatek.
“She’s a good mover, she has a good slide on hard courts,” Zheng said. “She has a good forehand and spin, she opens the court very well with the forehand cross.
“It will be a tough match. All the matches she makes, she makes the opponent feel they always have to be there to get the match, she will not give the match easy away. I think the key to play against her is to fight and play until the very end. Just play my game, she will play hers, and then we’ll see the fight from each other.”
In the biggest surprise of the day, rains hit San Diego suspending play early. Coco Gauff couldn’t finish her opener in which she led countrywoman Robin Montgomery a set and a break.
Daria Kasatkina ousted Leylah Fernandez in straights. Karolina Pliskova also won while Donna Vekic knocked out the struggling Maria Sakkari 7-6(3), 6-1.
Sakkari has now lost her last three matches, the last two to qualifiers.
Today, Gauff will finish and Jessica Pegula opens up against Coco Vandeweghe.
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