Zheng Qinwen acknowledges the spectators after winning the women's singles third round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Alize Cornet of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
PARIS, May 28 (Xinhua) -- It was another breakthrough day for Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen as the 19-year-old dominated her third-round match against French veteran Alize Cornet to reach the last 16 of the women's singles at the French Open here on Saturday.
Zheng was never really tested en route to the victory as the local star retired while trailing 6-0, 3-0.
Next for Zheng is Polish world No.1 Iga Swiatek, who saw off Danka Kovinic of Montenegro 6-3, 7-5 in an early match on the court Philippe-Chatrier. The 74th-ranked Zheng will look to snap the 2020 French Open champion's 31-match winning streak to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
Playing in the biggest arena at Roland Garros for the first time, Zheng went into the match quickly, winning the first set without dropping a game. Although the local supporters were trying to cheer Cornet up by applauding and chanting, the Chinese teenager showed calmness and broke twice in her opponent's first two serves in the second set before the 2022 Australian Open quarterfinalist retired.
Zheng, making her debut at the clay major, overcame two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep of Romania 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the previous round, which was her career-first win over a top-20 player. ■
Zheng Qinwen of China returns a shot during the women's singles third round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Alize Cornet of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Zheng Qinwen of China reacts during the women's singles third round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Alize Cornet of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Zheng Qinwen of China serves during the women's singles third round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Alize Cornet of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Alize Cornet of France reacts during the women's singles third round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Alize Cornet of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Zheng Qinwen of China serves during the women's singles third round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Alize Cornet of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Zheng Qinwen of China returns a shot during the women's singles third round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Alize Cornet of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
