The No. 1 seed in Tokyo, Zheng Qinwen, has displayed her dominance by making back-to-back WTA finals, defeating sixth-seeded Diana Shnaider 7-6 (5) 6-3. Despite a shaky start after almost losing a big first-set lead, the Chinese tennis sensation firmly took control to secure victory in straight sets.
Now, the world No. 7 is poised to take on the 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin, who emerged victorious over Katie Boulter in the other Tokyo semifinal with a scoreline of 6-4 6-4.
This upcoming final will mark Zheng’s fifth of the season, a remarkable feat indeed. However, it also signifies her first encounter with the American former world No. 4, Kenin. In a recent final against Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan, the 22-year-old Chinese star fell short in a thrilling three-set battle.
In the semifinal match, Zheng quickly gained momentum with back-to-back breaks, establishing a commanding 4-0 lead. The top seed appeared to be cruising to victory until Shnaider mounted a comeback, breaking Zheng’s serve and narrowing the gap. Despite missing out on multiple set points, Zheng showed resilience by forcing a tie-break.
The tension continued in the tie-break, with Zheng trailing 4-5 before mounting a comeback to snatch the first set after an intense battle lasting over an hour. Zheng’s ability to stay composed under pressure underscores her mental fortitude and unwavering determination on the court.
