Zheng Defeats Sabalenka and Reaches the Semifinals in Rome

For the first time in seven meetings, Qinwen Zheng got the better of Aryna Sabalenka. In the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 in Rome, the Chinese player dominated the world No. 1 with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory in just over an hour and a half of play.

Trailing 6-0 in their head-to-head record, including a recent loss in Miami in March, Zheng knew the challenge would be tough against Sabalenka, who had just won Madrid and was on a nine-match winning streak.

However, the Belarusian had shown signs of vulnerability earlier in the tournament—first against Kenin in the third round, where she lost the opening set, and then in a hard-fought battle against Kostyuk in the round of 16, who had pushed her to the limit.

From the start, Zheng relied on one of her key weapons—her serve—winning 82% of points behind her first delivery. A single break was enough for her to take the first set, and she repeated the feat early in the second.

Quickly frustrated by her opponent’s precision, Sabalenka grew agitated and piled up unforced errors.

Even when she faced two break-back points at 4-3 in the second set, Zheng kept her composure to neutralize the threat. On her second match point, the Chinese player sealed the victory, securing her first-ever career win over Sabalenka and her second against a world No. 1 after defeating Swiatek at the 2024 Olympics.

Now through to her first semifinal in Rome, Zheng will face Coco Gauff. The Olympic champion has become the second Chinese player to reach the final four in the Italian capital since Li Na in 2012.