Another great result of the season, which led to a milestone which had been missing for 11 years: Qinwen Zheng became the second Chinese player to reach the semifinals at the WTA Finals, after her countrywoman Li Na, who did it in 2013. The Chinese Olympic gold medalist achieved a doubles 6-1 defeat of Jasmine Paolini, qualifying for the semifinals with Aryna Sabalenka, in the Purple Group.
Speaking with WTA after the match, the Australian Open finalist analyzed: “11 years ago it was Li Na’s turn to reach the semifinals at the WTA Finals, I’m happy that now it’s my turn. I got through a really tough group, I’m very happy. Thanks also to my fans. It was one of the best matches of my season, I found the right feeling on all my shots. Playing like this was extraordinary. I finally feel like my serve is becoming more consistent. I remember that in 2022 it was quite strong. I don’t know why its performance suddenly dropped in 2023. In this tournament and in the last semester I feel like my serve is coming back for the first time. In the end I was able to express the tennis that I really want to play. When I step on the court I’m obviously nervous, but at the same time I’m confident because I know my level. I know what I’m capable of doing.”
Qinwen Zheng becomes the first Chinese woman to reach the semifinals of the WTA Finals since Li Na in 2013.
11 years have passed.
Making her idol proud.
🇨🇳❤️ pic.twitter.com/pMwOiuzGSe
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 6, 2024
Paolini, who has had a dream year in both singles and doubles, said after the defeat: “I can’t accept playing a match like that, even though Zheng played very well. It was a bad match, very negative. I was very nervous and I couldn’t find solutions. I had a couple of chances in her first service games, but I made a lot of mistakes and then Zheng started serving better and better. I also served worse than other days, slower. I wasn’t very clear-headed and very nervous and at this level that makes all the difference in the world. Today it hurts because I was never even close to her. I should have entered the court a little more clear-headed. Tomorrow I’ll have the chance to play better, it’s nice to be able to compete in doubles too and have another chance. I hope it will go better than today! I hope to be much more positive, serene and calm. I want to forget this match quickly.”
Jasmine Paolini© WTA Finals Riyadh/Instagram – Fair Use