Qinwen Zheng has reached the last 16 of the Qatar Open after a three-set win over Alycia Parks, setting up a rematch with Elena Rybakina.
Zheng needed two hours and 20 minutes to get past the American, with the final score reading 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.
The match was Zheng’s first main-draw appearance since January, following time away from the court due to an elbow injury.
The world No.7 now faces another big test against an in-form Rybakina, who comes into this event fresh off her Australian Open title and ranked world No.4.
Qinwen Zheng shares promising update on her elbow injury
Speaking after the match, Zheng told reporters: “Not bad. I feel the same as yesterday when I finished.”
“The elbow didn’t get worse, so I think it’s good news. Because after such a long match, especially two times [playing] three sets, my elbow can stay really healthy and I’m pretty happy about that.”
Zheng also looked ahead to her match against Rybakina, who many believe is closing in on the world number one ranking.
“It’s going to be a very difficult match because she has her confidence and I’m just starting to build my game up,” Zheng said.
“But I will fight through every point and let’s see what happens in the next round.”
The winner between Zheng and Rybakina will take on either Victoria Mboko or Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals. Mboko beat Vera Zvonareva earlier this week, while Andreeva got past Magda Linette.
The quarter-final winner will then meet one of Jelena Ostapenko, Ann Li, Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Camila Osorio; who recently defeated Alexandra Eala on her way to the Philippine Women’s Open title.
How Qinwen Zheng has fared against Elena Rybakina
Zheng holds a 1-2 record against Rybakina, with their rivalry going back to Wimbledon 2022.
Rybakina, who later won her first major title at that tournament, edged out Zheng in the third round 7-6, 7-5.
Their next meeting came at the China Open in 2023, where Rybakina again had the upper hand, winning comfortably 6-1, 6-2.
Zheng earned her first win over Rybakina at the 2024 WTA Finals. In the group stage, she came through a tight contest with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 victory.
After that match, Zheng reflected on how she managed to turn things around in the deciding set:
“I was the one to make the first break, and then I let her back in the first.
“Then it happened again in second. But in the third set I talked to myself. I broke her first and I stayed focused.
“Finally in the third set I start to play my tennis again. So I’m really happy to win the match.”
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