Zheng Qinwen’s journey at the Australian Open took a delightful turn as she secured a spot in the semifinals, and in a humorous twist, discovered that a top-10 ranking was also in her grasp. The 21-year-old Chinese tennis sensation staged a remarkable comeback, defeating Anna Kalinskaya with a scoreline of 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-1 to mark her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance.
Unaware of the additional achievement awaiting her, Zheng, during an on-court interview with former Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic, learned about her imminent top-10 debut. With a chuckle and a smile, she candidly expressed her surprise, stating, “Thanks for letting me know that. Nobody tells me anything.” The crowd erupted in laughter as Zheng acknowledged the unexpected news, turning it into another source of motivation.
Zheng’s rise to the top echelons of tennis has been impressive. After breaking into the top-20 for the first time in her career in October, following a victory in Zhengzhou, she continued her ascent, reaching No. 19 in the world. A runner-up finish at the WTA Elite Trophy propelled her further, landing her at No. 15 globally. Despite a brief dip in rankings just before the Australian Open, Zheng had achieved a career-high ranking of No. 13 on January 8th.
As the WTA rankings undergo an update post the Australian Open, Zheng is poised to attain a top-10 ranking, solidifying her status as a rising star in the tennis world. Looking ahead, Zheng faces Dayana Yastremska in the semifinal, with the prospect of reaching the Australian Open final on the horizon.
