Key Takeaways
- Elise Mertens defeated Iga Swiatek in the China Open quarter-finals.
- Mertens will face Zheng Qinwen in the semi-finals after her victory.
- Zheng Qinwen also progressed by defeating Elina Svitolina.
Belgian tennis star Elise Mertens stunned former champion Iga Swiatek in the China Open quarter-finals, securing a 7-6(7/0), 6-3 victory on Friday. The 30-year-old, ranked 19th in the world, continued her impressive run in Beijing by also defeating American third seed Coco Gauff earlier in the week.
Mertens dominated the opening-set tiebreak without dropping a point, setting the tone for her performance. She capitalized on this momentum in the second set, breaking Swiatek to advance to her third WTA 1000 semi-final since 2021. Her next opponent will be home favourite Zheng Qinwen, who secured her place in the semi-finals with a 6-3, 7-6(8/6) win over sixth seed Elina Svitolina.
Zheng, playing on a wildcard, broke Svitolina three times in the first set, taking control early. The Ukrainian world number seven responded strongly in the second set, raising her level to force a tiebreak. However, Zheng recovered from a sluggish start, reeling off four consecutive points to regain the initiative and seal victory in one hour and 47 minutes.
Svitolina, the Olympic champion, competed well throughout but was unable to withstand Zheng’s attacking game. Zheng’s consistent ability to force the pace and seize the initiative in crucial moments proved decisive.
Zheng’s victory advances her to her fourth career WTA 1000 semi-final and her third on Chinese soil, following appearances in Beijing and Wuhan in 2024. Her next challenge will be against Mertens in the semi-finals.
The match between Mertens and Zheng Qinwen is set to be a highly anticipated contest, with both players showcasing their skills and determination. Mertens, known for her composed display, will look to maintain her form, while Zheng, with her aggressive style, will aim to continue her strong performance.
The China Open semi-finals are set to be a thrilling spectacle, with tennis fans eagerly anticipating the matches. The tournament continues to showcase the talent and competitiveness of the women’s game, with upsets and close matches adding to the excitement.
I’m just happy to have a lot of winners during the match, and at the end, be brave in important moments.
Zheng Qinwen, Tennis player
