Round-robin phase of Huafa Technology WTA Elite Trophy set for intriguing finale.

Zhuhai; Thursday, October 26, 2023

As an illustration of the growing patience and belief possessed by Qinwen Zheng, the rising star’s compelling clash with Donna Vekic in Zhuhai served as a perfect demonstration.

With the momentum running against her in the third set of their Huafa Technology WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai encounter on Wednesday, Zheng was facing a significant challenge.

When points to retrieve a service break went begging in the third set, the 2022 WTA Newcomer of the Year did not panic, mindful more chances would come if she remained calm.

This proved the case, with Zheng finishing strongly to defeat Vekic 6-4 6-7 (6) 6-4 to become the youngest Chinese player to post a winning streak of more than five matches since Li Na in 2000.

“The match was really difficult because I didn’t feel so well at the beginning. It has taken me some time to find my rhythm,” Zheng said.

“In the third set, she continued to serve really well, but after that I started to feel better on my return and I started to find my rhythm in my game, so I am really happy to win this match.”

The triumph is the latest example of the growing mental strength of Zheng, who plays Jelena Ostapenko in an intriguing clash in the final match of the Orchid group on Thursday.

After winning the Zhengzhou Open this month, the 21-year-old cited improved patience as a factor in her form surge in the second half of the season.

Zheng, whose groundstrokes carry significant shape, had cited a top 10 breakthrough at the start of this year as her goal for 2023. But after a promising 2022, she stalled for a period.

“I was too focused on the results. I had a lot of mistakes (but) now I try to be more slow and think more, why (something) is like that, and take my time,” she told wtatour.com.

Zheng was impressive during the North American swing, initially when testing four-time major champion Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati and then when reaching the US Open 4th Rd.

But her effort to win a gold medal in the Asian Games in September, which was a major goal for the season, and follow that with her second WTA title, and first on home soil, are notable.

Zheng, who has said she thrives on the support she receives from Chinese fans, cited the backing she received from the crowd in Zhuhai as a factor in her comeback against Vekic.

“When I am a little bit down with my energy, they support me, they say ‘C’mon’ and I feel their encouragement from them,” she said.

Nicole Pratt, a former world No.35 who has coached some outstanding players in Australia, said Zheng’s recent successes are noteworthy because competing at home often adds to the expectation and pressure a professional can feel.

“It speaks volumes to her mentality, her belief in herself … that she’s going to continue to win,” Pratt told the AO Podcast.

“And winning at home is important too. Because if you talk about pressure, for Chinese players in particular, at home, it is very meaningful to play there.

“She is an exciting player. She, for me, is (in the) top 10 for sure in 2024 if she can stay healthy.”

The round-robin phase of Huafa Technology Elite Trophy is set for a thrilling conclusion on Friday as several of the world’s leading women vie for the semi-finals of the US$2.6 million tournament.

Zheng has won both of her outings so far against Ostapenka, a former Roland Garros champion, including their most recent clash in Abu Dhabi in February.

She is mindful that the Latvian, who won a title in Birmingham and defeated Iga Swiatek at the US Open prior to her clash with Zheng, is a challenging opponent.

Ostapenko overcame a set deficit to defeat Vekic 4-6 6-4 6-1 on Thursday night. The winner of their clash will qualify for the semi-finals.

“Obviously she is a really aggressive player. She opens the court really good. It will be a tough match to beat her because she has beaten a lot of great players,” Zheng said.

“I am looking forward to playing the next match and I hope in the next match I can play better … and be more aggressive and have a better serve percentage.”

In other singles matches on Friday, Beatriz Haddad Maia will play Caroline Garcia in a clash that will decide the Camellia group, while Liudmila Samsanova faces Veronika Kudermetova in the Rose Group.

Daria Kasatkina, the No.6 seed, booked a spot on Thursday when defeating Magda Linette 6-3 6-4 to top the Azalea group. It followed her three set victory over top seed Barbora Krejcikova on Wednesday.

“It was a tough match with tough conditions. It was very humid,” she said.