Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen captured her third WTA title of the year with a hard-fought win over Sofia Kenin in the Tokyo final, prevailing 7-6(5), 6-3 in a thrilling contest that lasted just over two hours. Zheng, the tournament’s top seed, showcased her skill and resilience in a match that highlighted her tremendous form and determination throughout the season. The 22-year-old Zheng not only displayed mental fortitude but also a nearly flawless serving game, hitting a remarkable 16 aces to keep Kenin at bay.
In what turned out to be a tight and suspenseful match, Zheng entered as the favorite but faced significant resistance from Kenin, a former Grand Slam champion. Early on, Zheng’s missed opportunities on break points allowed Kenin to stay in contention, especially in a first set that saw both players pushing each other to the limit. Zheng missed two break chances in the fifth game and another two later, giving Kenin room to force a tiebreak despite Zheng’s consistent pressure. The tiebreaker itself was a nail-biter, with both players tied at 5-5 before Zheng claimed the final two points to seize the first set.
The opener proved pivotal for Zheng, as she managed to carry her momentum into the second set. With a swift break of serve, she built a 3-0 lead that set the tone for the rest of the match. Kenin fought hard, but Zheng’s unyielding serve and steady baseline play proved too much for the American to overcome. Up by a set and a break, Zheng only needed to hold her serve to secure the victory, and she did just that. Her ability to maintain composure, especially in high-pressure moments, underscored her growth as a player and her readiness to take on the world’s best at the upcoming WTA Finals.
Zheng’s serving performance throughout the match was near impeccable, with 16 aces and only one break point allowed, which she saved confidently. Kenin struggled to find an answer to Zheng’s powerful and accurate serves, a factor that ultimately decided the match in favor of the Chinese star. Zheng’s first-serve percentage was one of the standout statistics, reflecting not only her power but her precision—a crucial component of her recent successes.
This latest victory in Tokyo adds to an already stellar season for Zheng, who has claimed three titles this year alone. Prior to Tokyo, Zheng successfully defended her title in Palermo in July and captured the prestigious gold medal at the Paris Olympics, further solidifying her status as one of the rising stars in women’s tennis. With this Tokyo win, Zheng now boasts five career WTA titles and will be heading to the WTA Finals as one of the most in-form players on the tour.
The Tokyo title caps off a highly successful Asian swing for Zheng, who also reached the semifinals in Beijing and was a finalist in Wuhan. These deep runs and consistent performances have pushed her to the forefront of the sport, and she’s now on the cusp of breaking into the upper echelon of the WTA rankings. However, the demanding schedule took a toll on her physically and mentally, and she opted to skip the tournament in Ningbo to recuperate before the Tokyo event. The week of rest proved beneficial, as Zheng returned to court with renewed energy and focus, ultimately translating her fresh mindset into yet another title win.
Reflecting on her season and her decision to rest, Zheng shared insights into the physical and mental toll of competing at the highest level. “After Wuhan, my physical and mental [state] was really tired,” Zheng said earlier in the week. “But after almost a week off I came back again and I’m feeling more fresh. Also, my body, compared to Wuhan, is much better. I’m just going to try and perform like all my matches I did before and let’s see what’s going to happen this year in Tokyo. The WTA Finals are really close, but first of all, I’m trying to keep the body healthy and then, talking about tennis, let’s see how it goes here.”
With the WTA Finals around the corner, Zheng will look to carry her Tokyo success into the year-end tournament, where she’ll face off against the top players of the season. Her focus on maintaining her health and managing her schedule reflects the maturity of an athlete determined to peak at the right moments. Her Tokyo title not only showcases her readiness for the Finals but also emphasizes her drive to continually improve, adapt, and overcome the challenges of the WTA circuit.
As Zheng heads into the Finals, she is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about players, with her recent accomplishments underscoring her potential to compete with and even outperform the tour’s elite. With her exceptional season, capped by victories across various surfaces and continents, Zheng Qinwen’s rise is emblematic of a new generation of Chinese tennis stars making waves on the global stage. Her Tokyo victory is more than just another title—it is a statement of her intent to continue challenging for the sport’s biggest prizes. As she prepares to make her WTA Finals debut, all eyes will be on Zheng to see if she can conclude her breakout season with yet another crowning achievement.