Zheng Qinwen, Beatriz Haddad Maia to play in WTA Elite final

Published on Oct 28, 2023, 09:17 AM ET

Read Time: 2 Minutes

ZHUHAI, China — Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen emerged victorious in a hard-fought match against her fellow countrywoman Zhu Lin, winning 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. This win secured Zheng’s spot in the final of the prestigious WTA Elite Trophy, making her only the second Chinese player to achieve this feat.

The 18th-ranked Zheng exhibited her resilience in a match that lasted 3 hours and 19 minutes, finally defeating the 37th-ranked Zhu, who received a wildcard entry into the tournament.

Zheng’s impressive winning streak continues, as she has triumphed in eight consecutive matches. Just this month, she emerged victorious in the Zhengzhou Open and also clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games, where she faced Zhu in the final.

In the championship match on Sunday, Zheng will face Beatriz Haddad Maia, the eighth-seeded Brazilian player who secured her first final appearance of the year with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 victory over the sixth-seeded Daria Kasatkina.

The first set of Saturday’s semifinal between Zheng and Zhu lasted 80 minutes, during which Zheng displayed exceptional defensive skills, fending off six break points and two set points for Zhu before ultimately breaking through in the 12th game of the set.

Zhu, however, fought back in the second set, forcing a decider in an intense battle. Nevertheless, Zheng’s strong serves proved to be a crucial advantage as she powered through to a 5-1 lead and successfully saved two break points, ultimately sealing the victory.

Zheng’s appearance in the final marks a significant milestone in Chinese tennis, as she becomes the second Chinese player to reach this stage of the tournament since Wang Qiang finished as the runner-up to former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in 2018.

In an earlier match, the 19th-ranked Beatriz Haddad Maia continued to showcase her remarkable form by securing her third consecutive straight-sets victory. The Brazilian player defeated the 17th-ranked Daria Kasatkina in a 93-minute match, maximizing her powerful serve and winning an impressive 80% of her first-service points without facing a single break point.

The WTA Elite Trophy, featuring the 11 highest-ranked singles players who did not qualify for the upcoming WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, is the first postseason event on the women’s tour. Zhu Lin, who entered the tournament as a wild card, was the final participant in the 12-player competition.