Quote of the Day: Zheng Qinwen had "too much respect" for Sabalenka in previous matches

After coming up short six times before, Zheng Qinwen finally scaled her personal ‘mountain’ on Wednesday evening in Rome as she took down Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia semifinals.

Coming into the match, Zheng had only taken one set in six lopsided meetings against Sabalenka. But on her preferred clay courts, the No. 8 seed stayed patient to out-rally her opponent and claim her second career victory over a world No. 1.

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The win is even sweeter for Zheng, as Sabalenka has loomed large in the Chinese player’s mind since her days as a junior. Sabalenka has reached multiple finals and lifted five trophies on Chinese soil—starting with her very first WTA tournament final in Tianjin in 2017, and including three consecutive victories in Wuhan, Zheng’s hometown, starting in 2018.

I remember I was going to see her in 2017 in China as a junior. My father was there saying, Oh, Sabalenka, you need to learn about her forehand, her backhand.

"I remember I was going to see her in 2017 in China… as a junior,” Zheng recalled in a post-match mixed zone. “My father was there saying, Oh, Sabalenka, you need to learn about her forehand, her backhand.

“I think with this kind of respect, it takes a while for me to treat her like a normal player.”

Zheng finally got over the finish line on Wednesday, and she reflected on the experience afterward:

Q: How much does a win like this give you confidence? I know Roland Garros is in two weeks.

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, actually I am always a confident player. Doesn't matter even sometimes (if) I made a bad result. I know if I'm really focused, if I'm really there, if I really want to get it, I will make it.

It's just… before, I saw her play when I was 14, 15 years old. I think the few times when I faced her in the beginning, I give too much respect. I didn't face her like a normal player.

I remember I was going to see her in 2017 in China... I was there as a junior. I (saw) her in the finals. My father was there saying, Oh, Sabalenka, you need to learn about her forehand, her backhand. I think with this kind of respect, it takes a while for me to treat her like a normal player.

So today, I'm just happy that I stayed really calm and I faced her like a normal player and I did what I have to do. I'm just really happy to get the win.

With the victory, No. 8 seed Zheng moved into the semifinals in Rome for the first time. She will meet No. 3 seed Coco Gauff in a rematch of their 2024 quarterfinal, which the American won in straight sets.

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