Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – China’s rising tennis star, Qinwen Zheng, powered her way into the semifinals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, delivering a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
The matchup was a decisive battle for second place in the Purple Group, with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka already securing the top spot. Both Zheng and Paolini had previously defeated Elena Rybakina but lost to Sabalenka, making this showdown a winner-takes-all encounter for a spot in the final four.
Zheng, who has been showcasing her big-serving prowess throughout the tournament, was unstoppable, taking just 67 minutes to dispatch Paolini.
The Chinese debutante won an impressive 77 per cent of her first-serve points and unleashed a total of 27 winners, including 11 aces, leaving Paolini struggling to find answers to Zheng’s relentless attack.
“It’s one of the best performances I’ve had this year,” Zheng said in her on-court interview after the match. “Really good percentage of first serves. I enjoyed a lot tonight to play here.”
With this win, Zheng makes history as the second Chinese woman to reach the semifinals of the WTA Finals, following in the footsteps of Li Na, who achieved the feat nearly 11 years ago. Reflecting on her achievement, Zheng expressed her pride in representing China on the international stage.
“I didn’t know what would happen when I came here because it’s my first time,” she said. “I just told myself to enjoy it, especially being in such a difficult group. Thanks to all the fans who came to watch me tonight.”
Paolini, who was runner-up at both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, struggled to handle Zheng’s powerful shots and consistent pressure. Despite her resilience throughout the season, Paolini found herself outmatched, with Zheng dictating play from the baseline and dominating service games.
With her place in the semifinals secured, Zheng’s remarkable run at the WTA Finals continues as she looks to cap off her season with a major victory, further establishing her as a formidable force on the women’s tennis circuit.