Zheng beats Stephens 6-3, 6-2 Entered the third round of the Miami Open
Both have finished in the top five and both have dealt with chronic injuries. American Sloane Stephens, 33, won the title 2017 us Open up and reach career highs#3. Qinwen Cheng from China is a finalist 2024 Australian Open and achieved career-high ranking#4.
Stephens suffered multiple injuries to his feet; 2022she underwent surgery on her left foot. Although she is currently ranked #Chapter 717she received a wild card into the main draw.
Zheng, who is ten years younger than Steph, has struggled with her elbow and form since last summer. In mid-July, she announced that she would undergo surgery on her right elbow and would be out for several months.
Although she returned to competition at last September’s China Open, she was forced to withdraw in the third round due to elbow pain. Although she missed 2026 At the Australian Open, she competed at the Abu Dhabi Open (d. Rybakina) and last week at the Indian Wells Open (d. Ruzik). Her current ranking is 26th and seeds twenty threeroad.
[Photo/Agencies]
Although Zheng Zhi has won two official matches so far, they have not met since then 2022. Stephens won the toss and elected to catch the ball, while Zheng elected to change sides.
Zheng Zhi hit her first ace and held on for love, while Stephens hit a winning cross-court backhand to even the score. Zheng made a double fault at the beginning of the third game, but still managed to hold on. 15 for 2-1. this 2017 us The Open champion hit her first ace but double-faulted and faced two deuces and a break point but held on 2-2.
While Zheng’s movement was exemplary, she struggled on serve, missing five consecutive first serves, including a double fault that resulted in a lost ball. Stephens failed to consolidate his lead, recovering from break point after three consecutive unforced errors.
Zheng Zhi started the seventh with a third double fault but held on. 30 There are two other aces. Stephens served with the new ball and began to push forward, erasing errors in his passing but not without a series of errors of his own, particularly on his forehand. She faced three deuces and a break point, and lost serve after a backhand into the net. Zheng Zhi started the ninth game with her fourth ace, reached a triple set point with another ace and achieved the conversion with an irreversible serve.
Stephens served first in the second game, 0-30. Zheng Zhi lost serve after hitting two consecutive winning shots. this twenty threerd seed missed 3/5 First serve but cemented the break with a monster serve off the tee.
Stephens slowly began to unravel and dropped serve after five more errors, including her third double fault. Zheng Zuo 4/6 Serve first and hold on 30 Consolidate rest time 4-0. Stephens, who struggled to hold serve, double-faulted again and faced four deuces and a break point, but held on to the set when Zheng’s return was excessive.
Zheng Zhi started with three consecutive wins, including two aces, and saved the sixth game with love. 5-1. Stephens served to stay in the game, 5/5 Serve first and catch easily 15forcing the opponent to serve. this 2024 The Australian Open finalist did just that; she served with a new ball and hit a huge outside serve to win.
Although the game was surprisingly sluggish, Zheng dominated his opponents in every metric. she won 84% of the first sum 65Second serve points and conversion points percentage 4/6 breakpoint. She came back equally skilled, winning 36First and amazing percentage 74Percentage of points scored on second serve returns.
In her next match, she will face another American, Madison Keys. this 2025 Australian Open Champion and former World #5 Current ranking 18th and seeds 15th. This will be their second tour-level meeting. The last time they played was at 2023 at citibank DC At the beginning, Case won in straight sets.
