In the heart of New York, at the prestigious 2024 US Open, a remarkable display of resilience unfolded. Qinwen Zheng (郑钦文), fresh off her Olympic triumph, faced a formidable challenge in her first-round match against American Amanda Anisimova. In a thrilling contest that saw her bounce back from a set down, Zheng’s mental fortitude and evolving game were on full display, marking another significant milestone in her blossoming career.
A Hard-Fought Victory in Flushing Meadows
At the beginning of the game, the atmosphere at Flushing Meadows was thunderous. Fans are looking forward to seeing how the newly crowned Olympic champion will fight against the native tennis players in his hometown. The stakes are high, and both players have something to prove. Anisimova is ranked 50th in the world and is a very powerful and dangerous opponent. On the other hand, Ms. Zheng hopes to build on her success and prove that her Olympic gold medal is not a fluke.
The match didn’t start well for Zheng. Struggling with her first serve, she found herself under constant pressure from Anisimova, who wasted no time in exploiting her opponent’s vulnerability. With the crowd behind her, Anisimova played aggressively, taking control of the scene and forcing Zheng into uncomfortable positions. The first set ended with Anisimova securing a 6-4 victory, leaving Zheng with work to do.
But champions are made of sterner stuff, and Zheng was not about to go quietly. As the second set began, she made the necessary adjustments. Her serve, which had been a liability in the first set, suddenly became a weapon. She fired eight aces in the second set alone, each one a dagger to Anisimova’s hopes. With her serve clicking, Zheng could dictate the pace of play, moving her opponent around the court and seizing control of the match.
Zheng’s ability to regroup and adjust mid-match speaks to the growth in her mental game. She’s often talked about the importance of maintaining focus and not getting carried away by past successes. “This is the kind of match I used to lose,” she admitted afterwards. “I know myself well, and in the past, I would let things slip after a big win. But this time, I was determined not to repeat those mistakes.”
Her determination paid off as she clinched the second set 6-4, levelling the match and shifting the momentum firmly in her favour.
In the decisive third set, Zheng’s dominance was clear. She broke Anisimova’s serve twice early on, building a lead that she would not relinquish. With each point, she grew more confident, her shots more precise, her movement more fluid. Anisimova, by contrast, began to falter under the relentless pressure, unable to find a way back into the match.
Zheng sealed the final set 6-2, completing a hard-fought comeback that demonstrated not just her physical capabilities but also her mental toughness. Throughout the match, she fired a total of 12 aces and improved her first-serve winning percentage from 50% in the first set to an impressive 73% by the end of the match. These numbers reflect a player who is learning to manage her game more effectively and who understands the importance of adaptability and mental resilience in tennis.
Focused on the Present, with Eyes on the Future
After the match, Zheng was asked about the pressure of being an Olympic champion and how she managed expectations. Her response was both humble and insightful. “I left the gold medal at home,” she said with a smile, “but I know Djokovic brought his to New York. That’s amazing, but for me, I’m just focused on this tournament. I want to thank the fans here, especially the Chinese fans who came out to support me. It means a lot.”
Zheng’s decision to leave her Olympic medal behind is symbolic of her mindset. She’s not resting on her laurels or letting past achievements distract her from the tasks at hand. Instead, she’s fully immersed in the present, aiming to continue her upward trajectory in the world of tennis. Her victory over Anisimova is more than just a win; it’s a testament to her evolving maturity as a player and a sign that she’s ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Qinwen Zheng is not just playing to win matches—she’s playing to define her legend.
