Qinwen Zheng downs Anna Kalinskaya to reach Australian Open Semi-finals

Qinwen Zheng, a 21-year-old tennis player, overcame a slow start to convincingly defeat Russian Anna Kalinskaya, with a score of 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday.

This victory secured Zheng's spot in the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the very first time. In the upcoming match, the talented Chinese player, seeded 12th, will face Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska.

Kalinskaya displayed signs of nervousness in her inaugural Grand Slam quarter-final, as she handed her opponent an early break with a double fault.

However, Zheng quickly returned the favor, leading to a closely contested match that saw both players struggle with their serves.

In the first set, US Open quarter-finalist Zheng found herself under pressure after hitting a wide forehand, granting Kalinskaya two opportunities to claim the set.

Ultimately, it was the Russian who capitalized on the chance, sealing the set with a powerful backhand shot.

Reflecting on the match, Zheng praised her opponent's performance, particularly her strong baseline strokes.

Despite the tough competition in the first set, Zheng remained focused and determined, refusing to dwell on the past. She expressed her joy and excitement at the outcome of the match.

Moving into the second set, Zheng broke her opponent's serve to take a 5-3 lead before eventually leveling the match at one set apiece.

With exceptional tennis skills, she swiftly seized control in the third game of the deciding set, not dropping a single point.

Kalinskaya faced a setback with a right leg issue, prompting a medical timeout when she fell behind by a double break.

However, she showed resilience and attempted a late comeback when the score stood at 4-1, reaching deuce.

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old Zheng remained focused and extended her lead, ultimately securing the victory.

Zheng expressed her delight at reaching the semi-finals for the first time, highlighting her satisfaction with her impressive performance.

Additionally, her victory ensured that she would break into the top 10 rankings, a significant achievement as the WTA's most improved player of 2023.

This news served as further motivation for Zheng, who had previously expressed her desire to be in the top 10.

She reflected on her progress since the previous year's Australian Open and expressed her happiness at achieving her goal.