China's top-seeded tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen 🎾 dazzled the crowd in Tokyo as she clinched the Pan Pacific Open title on Sunday! She powered past the USA's Sofia Kenin with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3, adding the fifth trophy to her shining career 🏆.
But it wasn't a walk in the park! The first set was a rollercoaster, suspended twice due to rain 🌧️ before the roof finally closed at the Ariake Coliseum. Both players held their nerves, taking it to a tense tiebreaker. Zheng, showcasing her fierce determination, edged ahead to take the set after a nail-biting 7-5 finish.
In the second set, Zheng hit the ground running. She broke Kenin early to lead 2-0 and never looked back. With aces flying and unstoppable serves, she extended her lead to 3-0. Despite Kenin's efforts, including holding her serve in the fourth game, Zheng's momentum was unstoppable. She delivered a flawless love game in the fifth, complete with two sizzling aces! 🔥
Kenin, no stranger to big matches (she's a former Australian Open champion and once ranked No. 4 🌟), fought valiantly. She had a chance to break Zheng in the seventh game, but Zheng held firm, saving the break point and cruising to a 5-2 lead.
Serving for the championship at 5-3, Zheng didn't flinch. Her sharp serves earned her a championship point after just four exchanges. In the end, Kenin's final shot sailed out of bounds, sealing Zheng's victory and setting off celebrations across the court! 🎉
This triumph not only marks Zheng's fifth career title but also cements her status as one of the sport's brightest young stars. Keep your eyes peeled, tennis fans—the rise of Zheng Qinwen is just getting started! 💪✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
