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Zheng defeats Vekic in record-breaking late-ending US Open women’s match
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    Zheng defeats Vekic in record-breaking late-ending US Open women’s match

    NEW YORK — Zheng Qinwen beat Donna Vekic in a rematch of their Olympic final, advancing to the US Open quarterfinals with a 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-2 victory early Monday morning in the latest finish of a women’s match in tournament history.

    It was 2:15 a.m. ET when the No. 7-seeded Zheng finished off the match that lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes, a far tougher and longer test than she got from Vekic last month in Paris.

    Zheng won China’s first singles gold in tennis with a 6-2, 6-3 victory that day. She wasn’t quite as dominant on the US Open’s hard courts, where Vekic feels much more comfortable than the clay at Roland Garros.

    But Zheng is plenty tough to beat herself on hard courts, having reached her first Grand Slam final this year at the Australian Open, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.

    “I feel really proud of myself because it’s not easy changing surfaces from clay to hard, especially because I went back to China so I don’t have the same practice like all the other players,” Zheng said. “So basically, I’m just trying to hold myself, find a way to get the match even if I’m not feeling at my best.”

    She will play again against Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed who also beat Zheng last year in the quarters at Flushing Meadows on her way to the final, on Tuesday.

    Zheng said she’ll be ready — as long as she got eight or nine hours of sleep after finally getting back to the hotel.

    “I really like to play against her and I’m looking forward to playing against her,” Zheng said. “I know she’s one of the greatest players on hard courts and I’ve been hoping for this moment.”

    Vekic was coming off her best result in a Grand Slam, reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon. But the No. 24 seed knew she missed a chance to go even deeper in Flushing Meadows.

    She frequently took long pauses in frustration after missing a shot, occasionally tugging at her hair or resting her head in her hand.

    The Croatian broke Zheng to win the second set and even the match, driving Zheng back with some blistering returns before using a perfect drop shot to give herself a set point.

    But after an ace to open the third set, Vekic made two straight unforced errors and Zheng broke her. Zheng then broke again at love for a 5-2 lead in front of the sparse crowd that had stuck around past 2 a.m.

    The previous latest finish for a women’s match was 2:13 a.m., when Maria Sakkari beat Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont. in a 2021 fourth-round match.

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    In a thrilling and record-breaking late-ending match at the US Open, China’s Zheng Saisai emerged victorious over Croatia’s Donna Vekic in a grueling battle that lasted well into the early hours of the morning.

    The match, which took place on Court 17, captivated fans and spectators alike as both players showcased their incredible skill and determination. Despite the late hour, the energy and intensity on the court never wavered as Zheng and Vekic fought tooth and nail for every point.

    In the end, it was Zheng who prevailed, defeating Vekic in a hard-fought three-set victory that lasted a staggering four hours and 18 minutes. The match ended at 2:14 a.m., making it the latest-finishing women’s singles match in US Open history.

    Zheng’s victory was a testament to her resilience and mental fortitude, as she battled through fatigue and exhaustion to come out on top. Her impressive performance on the court earned her a well-deserved spot in the next round of the tournament.

    Vekic, on the other hand, put up a valiant fight and displayed her own impressive skills throughout the match. Despite the loss, she can hold her head high knowing that she gave it her all and left everything on the court.

    The historic nature of this match will surely be remembered for years to come, as Zheng and Vekic delivered a truly unforgettable performance that showcased the best of women’s tennis. As fans look forward to the rest of the US Open, they can only hope that more thrilling matches like this one are in store.