The three-time reigning French Open champion will not play for an Olympic gold medal at Roland-Garros.
China’s Zheng Qinwen upset world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland 6-2, 7-5 in women’s singles semifinal action on Thursday.
Zheng, the sixth seed, secured China’s first-ever Olympic medal in tennis with the win.
Swiatek made 36 unforced errors, 23 more than her opponent.
No. 13 seed Donna Vekic of Croatia faces Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia in the other semifinal.
Zheng was involved in a tense moment earlier in the tournament.
After the Chinese star beat Emma Navarro in the third round, the American shook her head in frustration after a short exchange with her opponent at the net, per The Athletic.
“I just told her I didn’t respect her as a competitor,” Navarro said. “I think she goes about things in a pretty cut-throat way. It makes for a locker room that doesn’t have a lot of camaraderie, so it’s tough to face an opponent like that, who I really don’t respect. But, kudos to her, she played some good tennis there at the end. She played better than me, so congrats to her.”
In a thrilling match at the Tokyo Olympics, Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen pulled off a stunning upset by defeating reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. The victory marks a major milestone for Zheng, who has been steadily climbing the ranks in the world of professional tennis.
Coming into the match, Swiatek was the clear favorite, having dominated the clay court season and showcasing her formidable skills on the hard courts of Tokyo. However, Zheng came out swinging, displaying a mix of power and finesse that kept Swiatek on her toes throughout the match.
Zheng’s aggressive style of play proved to be the difference maker, as she consistently pushed Swiatek out of her comfort zone and forced errors from the usually composed Polish player. Zheng’s powerful serves and precise groundstrokes kept Swiatek off balance, allowing her to dictate play and ultimately secure the victory.
For Zheng, this win is a validation of her hard work and dedication to the sport. The 23-year-old has been steadily improving her game over the past few years, and her performance against Swiatek is a testament to her potential as a top contender in the world of women’s tennis.
As she prepares to face off against either Ashleigh Barty or Aryna Sabalenka in the Olympic final, Zheng will undoubtedly draw confidence from her victory over Swiatek. With her combination of skill and determination, she has proven that she has what it takes to compete at the highest level and make a name for herself on the international stage.
Overall, Zheng Qinwen’s victory over Iga Swiatek in the Olympic tennis semifinal is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the potential for underdogs to rise to the occasion. As she continues her journey at the Tokyo Olympics, Zheng will look to build on this impressive win and showcase her talents to the world.