In a stunning display of resilience and tactical brilliance, China’s Zheng Qinwen has finally cracked the code against world number one Aryna Sabalenka, defeating her 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Italian Open. The 22-year-old Olympic gold medalist, ranked eighth globally, had been haunted by a 0-6 head-to-head record against the Belarusian powerhouse, but on the red clay of Rome’s Foro Italico, she delivered a masterclass to secure her first victory over Sabalenka. This triumph, celebrated widely on social media, propels Zheng into her third WTA 1000 semifinal, where she’ll face American star Coco Gauff, setting the stage for a thrilling clash as the French Open looms on May 25.
Zheng’s journey to this moment has been one of perseverance. Since their first meeting at the 2023 US Open, Sabalenka had dominated their rivalry, winning high-stakes encounters like the 2024 Australian Open final and the Wuhan Open final on Zheng’s home soil. The Chinese star admitted to struggling with awe early in their matchups, recalling her teenage years watching Sabalenka dominate in China. “I remember I was going to see her in 2017 in China… as a junior,” Zheng shared post-match. “My father was there saying, ‘Oh, Sabalenka, you need to learn about her forehand, her backhand.’ I think with this kind of respect, it takes a while for me to treat her like a normal player.” In Rome, however, Zheng shed that reverence, approaching Sabalenka with steely focus and executing her game plan flawlessly.
The match was a testament to Zheng’s growth on clay, a surface where she’s proven her mettle with a 2024 Olympic gold and two WTA 250 titles in Palermo. She saved all five break points she faced, showcasing her defensive prowess, and broke Sabalenka’s serve three times, capitalizing on the top seed’s 27 unforced errors. “I was more patient than her,” Zheng said, highlighting her ability to outmaneuver Sabalenka’s aggressive style. After breaking for a 3-2 lead in the first set, Zheng never trailed, denying Sabalenka two break points in a tense fourth game and sealing the set with composure. The second set saw Zheng weather missed opportunities, including four break points for a 5-2 lead, but she held firm, clinching the match in 1 hour and 37 minutes.
Sabalenka, who entered Rome on a 13-match WTA 1000 winning streak and with titles in Miami and Madrid, struggled to find her rhythm. Her 12-1 clay record this season, bolstered by a 6-0 mark against top-10 players, made her the favorite, but Zheng’s relentless baseline play and poise under pressure flipped the script. Fans on social media lauded Zheng’s breakthrough, with one user posting, “Qinwen’s smile and control on court were electric—she’s ready for Paris!” Others noted the contrast between Zheng’s calm precision and Sabalenka’s visible frustration, with the Belarusian’s 15 winners overshadowed by costly mistakes.
Zheng’s victory marks a historic milestone, making her the second Chinese woman to reach the Rome semifinals after Li Na’s runner-up finish in 2012. “It’s been a long time I haven’t arrived in semifinals,” Zheng told reporters, referencing her arm struggles earlier in 2025. “Right now I’m just perfectly in shape and trying to play better tennis all the time.” Her confidence is well-earned: after a sluggish start to the season with early exits in Melbourne and Dubai, she’s now won 12 of her last 19 matches, including straight-set victories over Olga Danilovic, Magdalena Frech, and Bianca Andreescu en route to the Rome quarterfinals.
The semifinal showdown with Gauff, a rematch of their 2024 Rome quarterfinal, adds another layer of intrigue. Gauff, who advanced with a 6-4, 7-6(5) win over Mirra Andreeva, leads their head-to-head 2-1, but Zheng’s clay-court prowess—evidenced by her 76.23% win rate on the surface—makes her a formidable opponent. As the tennis world turns its gaze to Roland Garros, Zheng’s breakthrough in Rome signals her readiness for the Grand Slam stage. “I know if I’m really focused, if I’m really there, if I really want to get it, I will make it,” she said, her words radiating belief.
Zheng’s triumph over Sabalenka is more than a win—it’s a statement. With the French Open just weeks away, the young Chinese star is rewriting her narrative, shedding the weight of past defeats and embracing her potential as a Grand Slam contender. As she prepares to face Gauff, the tennis community is buzzing with anticipation, eager to see if Zheng can carry this momentum to Paris and etch her name deeper into the sport’s history.
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