By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, October 1, 2024

 

Zheng Qinwen found her range and rhythm rallying past Amanda Anisimova 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 into the China Open quarterfinals.

Photo credit: Fred Lee/Getty

Going the distance drives Zheng Qinwen to hit her stride.

Down a set today, Zheng found her range and rhythm rallying past Amanda Anisimova 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 into the China Open quarterfinals.

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In a rematch of the US Open first round, Zheng hit 34 winners against 20 errors—22 fewer unforced errors than Anisimova—in a two hour, 22-minute triumph.

The fifth-seeded Zheng advanced to the Beijing quarterfinals where she will face 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva.



Earlier, Andreeva converted seven of 11 break-point chances stopping 31st-seeded Magda Linette 6-1, 6-3 in 73 minutes.

It is Andreeva's eighth quarterfinal of the season and comes after the Roland Garros semifinalist beat Irina-Camelia Begu and Donna Vekic in three-setters.

Olympic gold-medal champion Zheng showed stamina, raising her 2024 three-set record to 16-3. Zheng turned this match around by playing heavier topspin to displace Anisimova at times and cause errors.

A brilliant backhand return winner down the line helped Anisimova break for 5-3.

Serving for a one-set lead, Anisimova raced out to a triple-set point advantage. Zheng dug in and saved three set points but was jammed up by a body serve as Anisimova earned a fourth set point.

Quick off the mark, Anisimova caught up to a net cord short that dribbled over and showed soft touch shoveling an angled forehand drop shot to seal the 48-minute opening set.

To that point, Anisimova played cleaner tennis and largely muted Chinese fans.

Navigating a tough hold to start the second set, Zheng struck immediately, breaking with a barrage of heavy returns for a 2-0 lead.

Zheng powered through a strong held stretching her lead to 3-0. When Anisimova scattered her third double fault, Zheng earned her second straight break for 4-0.



Playing higher topspin to increase the distance between the American and the baseline, Zheng drew 15 unforced errors from Anisimova in taking the 30-minute second set.

Anisimova took treatment, including taping on her left leg, after dropping the second set. She returned to face a series of physical points from Zheng who broke again to start the final set.

Zheng’s defensive prowess rattled out another break. Defending everything Anisimova hit, Zheng broke for 4-1 when Anisimova sailed a swing volley long. Zheng closed out a two hour, 22-minute victory on her fourth match point.

Australian Open finalist Zheng improved to 38-14 on the season.