In a dynamic and wind-swept match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, World No.2 Iga Swiatek put on a masterclass performance, defeating China's Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-3 in the women's quarterfinals. The volatile weather added an extra layer of challenge as gusts tested both players on every serve and stroke. 🎾
Zheng, who earlier dazzled at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics by overcoming Swiatek en route to a gold medal, struggled with unforced errors and missed break-point opportunities in this encounter. Despite rallying to stave off the early pressure in the opening set, her efforts were ultimately overpowered by Swiatek’s relentless play—converting all five break points and winning 74 percent of points on her first serve.
"At the end it got really windy which made it super tricky, especially when the conditions change during the match, you need to adjust quickly and it's not that easy," Swiatek explained after the match. "I am happy that I was pushing until the end. It was a weird match with all the breaks and everything, but I wanted to be composed and really focused, and I'm glad that I did that."
Now, the five-time Grand Slam champion sets her sights on the semifinals where she will face Mirra Andreeva. This match not only highlighted the unpredictable nature of tennis under changing weather conditions but also showcased the resilience and focus needed to excel at the highest level.
Stay tuned for more electrifying tennis action at the BNP Paribas Open!
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen's BNP Paribas Open run halted by World No. 2 Iga Swiatek
cgtn.com
