Tennis

Zheng Qinwen's remarkable run of form continued on Sunday as she captured her third title of the year at the WTA 500 event in Tokyo. The 22-year-old Chinese star, who has been one of the hottest players on the tour since Wimbledon, served up a dominant performance in the final, defeating Sofia Kenin 7-6 (5), 6-3.Zheng's victory in Tokyo marks her fifth tour-level title and her biggest since winning the Paris Olympics earlier this year. She also has two WTA 250 titles to her name, both in Palermo.The Chinese sensation has been in scintillating form since Wimbledon, boasting an impressive 28-4 record. Her impressive run includes title victories in Palermo and at the Olympics, as well as reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open and the final in Wuhan.Zheng's triumph in Tokyo is particularly significant as it was the second time in her career that she was the No. 1 seed at a WTA event. She has now won both times, maintaining a perfect 9-0 record as the top seed.The victory in Tokyo will see Zheng close the gap on No. 6 Jasmine Paolini in the WTA rankings, where she will remain at No. 7. She has already qualified for the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh.Zheng's success is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. She has established herself as one of the most promising young players on the tour and is poised for even greater achievements in the future.

The Toray Pan Pacific Open, a prestigious WTA 500 tournament, returns to Tokyo, Japan, from September 18-25, 2023. Played on hard courts, the tournament features a competitive field of 28 singles players and 16 doubles teams.Among the notable players to watch is Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic gold medalist and Australian Open runner-up. Other top-ranked players include Daria Kasatkina (WTA No. 9), Beatriz Haddad Maia (WTA No. 10), and Diana Shnaider (WTA No. 16).The tournament offers a total prize pool of $757,900, with the singles champion receiving $163,980. The doubles champions will split $50,000.Tennis fans can catch the action live on Tennis Channel, TennisChannel.com, and the Tennis Channel app. The broadcast schedule is as follows:* Sunday, September 18: 10 p.m. ET to 3:00 a.m. ET* Monday, September 19: 4 a.m. ET to 7 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET to 3:00 a.m. ET* Tuesday, September 20: 4 a.m. ET to 7 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET to 7:30 a.m. ET* Wednesday, September 21: 10 p.m. ET to 7:30 a.m. ET* Thursday, September 22: 11 p.m. ET to 3:30 a.m. ET* Friday, September 23: 5 a.m. ET to 8 a.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET to 5 a.m. ET (Singles and doubles semifinals)* Saturday, September 24: 11 p.m. ET to 2 a.m. ET (Singles and doubles finals)T2 will also provide coverage of the tournament:* Monday, September 19: 8 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET to 5 a.m. ET* Tuesday, September 20: 6:30 a.m. ET to 8:30 a.m. ET* Wednesday, September 21: 2 a.m. ET to 4 a.m. ET, 4:30 a.m. ET to 6:30 a.m. ET and 8 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. ET* Thursday, September 22: 8 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. ET* Friday, September 23: 8 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. ET* Saturday, September 24: 4:30 a.m. ET to 8:30 a.m. ET* Sunday, September 25: 4 a.m. ET to 6 a.m. ET

The Ningbo Open, a WTA 500 event, has witnessed a significant influx of lucky losers, with a quarter of the field now filled by players who initially failed to qualify.The tournament has been plagued by withdrawals, including Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro, and most notably, home favorite Zheng Qinwen. Zheng's absence has opened the door for Jaqueline Cristian, who lost in the opening round of qualifying but has now advanced to the second round to face Karolina Muchova.The chaos continued when Kathinka Von Deichmann, who had also lost in qualifying, found herself involved in two first-round matchups between lucky losers. However, her hopes were dashed by Ella Seidel of Germany.The situation took an even more bizarre turn when Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine revealed on social media that she was attempting to fly back to Ningbo as the No. 7 lucky loser in line. However, with Cristian already in the main draw, it appears that Starodubtseva has missed her chance.Despite the disruptions, the tournament has progressed, with Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova emerging as the highest seed remaining at No. 4. Fifth seed Daria Kasatkina has advanced to the quarterfinals after a hard-fought victory over Katerina Siniakova, setting up a clash with Yulia Putintseva.The Ningbo Open has provided a platform for both established stars and rising talents, with the unpredictable nature of the tournament adding an extra layer of excitement.

Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, dashed the hopes of Chinese star Zheng Qinwen in the final of the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, claiming her third title with a hard-fought 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory.Zheng, a Wuhan native and reigning Olympic gold medalist, had been on a remarkable run, becoming the first Chinese player to reach a WTA 1000 final. However, Sabalenka, a two-time Wuhan champion, proved too strong, despite the partisan crowd support for Zheng.Sabalenka, known for her aggressive style, started the match with a dominant display, taking the first set 6-3. Zheng fought back in the second set, applying pressure on Sabalenka's serve and capitalizing on her errors. The crowd erupted in cheers as Zheng leveled the match at 1-1.The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks of serve. Zheng, despite facing a double-break deficit, showed her resilience by clawing back one break and holding a point to level the score at 3-3. However, Sabalenka remained unyielding, denying Zheng the comeback and securing the victory in two hours and 41 minutes.Sabalenka's triumph extended her winning streak in Wuhan to 17-0, making her the first player to win three consecutive titles at the tournament. It was also her fifth trophy on Chinese soil, the most by any player in the Open era.For Zheng, the defeat was a learning experience as she continues to climb the ranks of women's tennis. She acknowledged Sabalenka's strengths and expressed her eagerness to improve her tactics and mental fortitude.

Zheng Qinwen, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and rising star of Chinese tennis, has made history by becoming the first athlete to grace the cover of Vogue China. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in her career and underscores the growing popularity of tennis in China.Zheng's Vogue China cover shoot, titled "Being Queen Wen," showcases her versatility and fashion prowess. Photographed by Wang Ziqian and styled by Vivienne Sun, Zheng exudes confidence and elegance in daring hair and makeup looks, adorned in international brands such as Balenciaga, Nike, and Rahul Mishra.In an interview with Vogue's Yan Xia, Zheng expressed her excitement about presenting a different side of herself to her fans. "I also tried a style that I had never tried before," she said. "I hope that when fans see these pictures, they will feel that Zheng Qinwen has taken a different route this time."Zheng's Olympic victory in 2024 sparked a surge of national interest in tennis, earning her the title of "queen" among fans. The Vogue China cover shoot further solidifies her status as a fashion icon and role model for aspiring athletes."This shoot is the one I am most satisfied with among all the shoots I have taken, because it shows my own understanding of fashion," Zheng said. "Not only the cover, but also the photos on the inside pages are my favorites. It combines the strength and beauty of athletes, and also has a sense of fashion."Zheng's success on the court has been equally impressive. She is currently competing in her home tournament, the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, where she has reached the semifinals for the first time. She is set to face countrywoman Wang Xinyu in a historic matchup that will mark the first meeting between two Chinese players in the semifinal of a WTA 1000 event.Zheng's journey to the top of the tennis world has been marked by determination and hard work. She credits her success to her unwavering focus and the support of her family and coaches. As she continues to rise through the ranks, Zheng is poised to become one of the most influential figures in Chinese sports history.

Zheng Qinwen Pays Tribute to Retiring Rafael NadalWUHAN, China - Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen expressed shock and sadness upon learning of Rafael Nadal's retirement announcement."It's a shock news for me," Zheng said at a press conference during the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. "I thought he would continue play one more year."Nadal, who won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, announced that he would play his final match at the Davis Cup Finals in Spain next month. Zheng, who trained in Spain from a young age, spoke about the profound impact Nadal has had on her career."He's a leader of a generation," said Zheng, who became a national hero in China after winning gold in Paris this summer. "I watched his matches since I was a kid. There's lots of memories. Even now sometimes I will search Rafael Nadal and watch his old matches when he had 19 years old, 20, when he's at his primetime."Zheng praised Nadal's unwavering mentality and determination. "He inspires a lot to me," she said. "Even right now sometimes when I'm at a difficult moment, I will think how strong Rafael Nadal's mentality is in the tennis."While expressing disappointment that Nadal would no longer be competing on tour, Zheng acknowledged the inevitability of retirement for all athletes. "Every legend, there comes a time for them to retire," she said. "I wish he can continue enjoy life."Zheng's tribute to Nadal highlights the enduring legacy of the Spanish legend, whose exceptional achievements and unwavering spirit have inspired countless players and fans around the world.

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time champion of the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, has returned to the tournament with a warm welcome from the Chinese people, who affectionately refer to her as an "old friend." Sabalenka, who won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019, is eager to add a third trophy to her collection as the tournament returns to the calendar as a WTA 1000 after a five-year hiatus.Since her previous victories in Wuhan, Sabalenka has become a three-time Grand Slam winner in singles and the world No. 2. She is also the main rival for Chinese tennis hero Zheng Qinwen, whom she has defeated twice in US Open semifinals and once in the Australian Open final.Sabalenka's return to Wuhan has been met with great enthusiasm from fans, who have showered her with gifts and autographs. She has been particularly popular for her forearm tattoo, which is a nod to her being born during the Year of the Tiger (1998).In addition to her personal achievements, Sabalenka is also looking to cut down the gap in ranking points between herself and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who pulled out of the tournament. Victory in Wuhan would put Sabalenka less than 100 points from the WTA's top ranking.However, Sabalenka remains focused on her own performance rather than the ranking. "I prefer to focus on myself, and when I'm on court I'm just trying to bring my best tennis and fight for every point," she said. "If I'm able to play my best tennis, then I will become world No. 1."Sabalenka will face Katerina Siniakova in the second round of the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open.

Zheng Qinwen, the reigning Olympic champion, is experiencing an extraordinary homecoming at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, her hometown tournament. The 22-year-old has become a celebrity in China after her breakthrough 2024 season, which included a Grand Slam final and an Olympic gold medal.Zheng's newfound fame has brought both excitement and pressure. "I can feel the passion already when I'm walking on the street," she said. "Once they recognize me, everybody starts to came around asking me signature, asking the photos."Despite the attention, Zheng remains focused on her tennis. "I'm also feeling the responsibility as a leader of the new generation," she said. "I will pay attention to my performance on court as well as my words off court. I need to be cautious."Zheng has struck a balance between her newfound celebrity and her tennis career. She has carried her Olympic momentum into a second consecutive US Open quarterfinal and reached the semifinals in Beijing.At the Wuhan Open, Zheng is seeded fifth and will face Romanian wild card Jaqueline Cristian in her first match. "It's not that important who you're facing," she said. "I need to focus on myself because it's really hard to control. I need to be myself the best to perform the best."Zheng also shared a message for young players, encouraging them to enjoy their childhood and not focus solely on winning. "To those children who are practicing tennis, I hope that you can enjoy your time in elementary school because that's a time when winning is not that important, just enjoy tennis."

The Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, the second leg of the Asian Swing's back-to-back WTA 1000 events, promises an explosive start on Monday. The draw features a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, setting the stage for thrilling encounters.Two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, is the heavy favorite. She will face either Katerina Siniakova or Alexandra Eala in the second round. American sensation Coco Gauff, the No. 4 seed, will make her Wuhan debut against Ashlyn Krueger or Viktoriya Tomova.Sabalenka and Gauff are on a potential semifinal collision course, with the American holding a 4-3 head-to-head advantage. However, Sabalenka recently defeated Gauff in the Australian Open semifinals.The top half of the draw also features Emma Navarro, Daria Kasatkina, and Marta Kostyuk. Navarro, a potential quarterfinal opponent for Sabalenka, has a history with Zheng Qinwen, the No. 5 seed. Zheng, a Wuhan native, will compete in her hometown event for the first time.Jessica Pegula, the No. 2 seed, anchors the bottom half of the draw. She will face the winner of Anastasia Potapova and Katie Volynets in the second round. Pegula's section includes Barbora Krejcikova and Paula Badosa, who defeated her in Beijing last week.The Wuhan Open marks a significant return for the tournament, which was last held in 2019. With a mix of experienced players and rising stars, the event promises to deliver captivating matches and unforgettable moments.