US Open 2026 Women’s Day 9

Zheng Qinwen scored a second straight fightback from 0-5 as the former world No. 4 who had to play qualifying here reached a third career quarter-final at the US Open on Monday.

Zheng, who only recently returned after late 2025 arm surgery, made her miracle recovery against 2022 tournament champion Iga Swiatek, knocking the eight seed out 7-5, 6-3.

The Chinese player repeated the miracle she first managed 48 hours earlier when she beat 2017 finalist Madison Keys in a similar scenario, coming from the depths and winning seven straight games. Six-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek left the court in tears.

That act was not hard to follow for the No. 121 who had lost seven of eight previous matches to former world No. 1 Swiatek.

The Pole took a 5-0 lead in the opening set, but that merely opened the door for Zheng to go to work.

“I started the match not so well, but little by little I found my game and my rhythm on Ashe (showcourt,” she said.

“It was a long time since I played on a centre court; I started to find my game. At one point I even forgot the score, that showed my focus.”

Zheng stunned Swiatek 7-5, with the seed calling for the trainer for her left leg after three games in the second set. Swiatek had a medical timeout, was given some tablets and got back to the match.

But she lost two of her next three service games, going down to defeat after saving three Zheng match points before her backhand hit the net to lose.

Zheng secured a seventh straight match win after starting in qualies.

Swiatek said her level dropped as her opponent climbed back into the match while trailing.

“I wouldn’t say it (the comeback) had anything to do with mentality. It was more that I started making mistakes from easy balls and Qinwen stopped doing mistakes.

The smiling Chinese won over the crowd post-match with her graciousness and good humour.

“I guess I showed that a 0-5 comeback is not so lucky now, that’s all I can say.

“I’m happy to win this match, it was not easy. And I’ve not beaten a top 10 player for a long time (Aryna Sabalenka, 2025 Rome quarters). I really appreciate this win.

“I really wanted to show my best tennis.”

 There was also injury drama in the day’s other opening match as Austria’s Anastasia Potapova went down on her left leg in a tight second-set moment in what became a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 loss to Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva.

Potapova took a tumble on the first point in the ninth game of the final set and was seen by the trainer after her teenaged opponent crossed over to check on her fallen condition.  

Despite apparent pain, the No. 25 she was strapped and returned to play out the rest of the game as Andreeva advanced, denying her opponent a first career quarter-final in 27 Grand Slams  

“For sure it was not an easy match,” Andreeva said, “I’ve known Nastya for a very long time, and we always have great battles against each other. 

“I’m pretty happy with how I stayed in the fight. Also, you know, it’s not the perfect end to the match, as well.