Zheng Qinwen hits a return during her women's singles quarterfinal defeat against Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 US Open in New York, Sept. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
Zheng Qinwen reflects on her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut, emphasizing room for improvement after losing to Aryna Sabalenka, while Carlos Alcaraz is set to face Daniil Medvedev in the men's semifinals.
NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's rising star Zheng Qinwen was stopped in the U.S. Open quarterfinals, losing to world number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-1, 6-4 here on Wednesday.
Despite her loss, the 20-year-old has already made a breakthrough in her career by reaching the final eight of a Grand Slam event for the first time, although she revealed that the result did not meet her expectations.
"If you just talk about result, of course it's not bad for me, but honestly, in my mind I really want to go to farther," she told reporters. "But honestly, there is still a lot of room for me to improve, especially she [Sabalenka] makes me think a lot that I have to go back and put some work on my tennis."
It took Sabalenka just 27 minutes to take the first set where Zheng admitted she needed some time to adapt to the conditions at the main court in Arthur Ashe stadium and the fast style of her opponent.
"Honestly I hate that different half shadow, half sun, because I feel that's also bad for my eyes. Later when the sun started to move away, there was full shadow on court and I felt my reactions start to quicken," she said.
"I think Sabalenka has a really strong serve. She makes me feel that it's tough to return. I think she's one of the fastest serves in the tour. I think next time if I have to play against her, I'll have to deal with how to handle the return, her service game.
"She's been playing faster than all the other players. That's maybe one of the reasons I didn't get to the match [in the first set]." she added.
Sabalenka celebrates after winning her women's singles quarterfinal against Zheng. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
Reigning Australian Open champion Sabalenka will take on 17th seed Madison Keys on Thursday, after the American advanced to her third New York semifinal 6-1, 6-4 against reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
Men's top seed Carlos Alcaraz breezed past 12th seed Alexander Zverev of Germany 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the semifinals.
Defending U.S. Open champion Alcaraz said he was happy to see the German back from his ankle injury.
"The last time I played against Zverev was in Madrid this year. He said he wasn't ready to play at his best and I was sad about it," 20-year-old Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. "We've had some big fights and big matches. I'm so happy to see him back in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam and playing his best again."
Alcaraz will face No. 3 seed and 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals after the Russian defeated his compatriot and eighth seed Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 earlier in the day.
In the women's doubles, China's Wang Xinyu, pairing up with Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Su-Wei, advanced into the women's doubles semifinals, overcoming American third seeds Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4. ■
