Chinese tennis star becomes second ever to reach Olympic semifinals

Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen made it to the Olympic women's singles semifinals on Wednesday in Paris, marking a significant achievement after a 16-year wait for China.

In a three-hour quarterfinal match at the Paris Olympics, Zheng, the 6th seed, defeated German veteran Angelique Kerber with a score of 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(6).

This victory extends her clay court winning streak to nine matches and makes her the second Chinese player to reach the Olympic women's singles semifinals, following Li Na's 2008 success.

"Today's match was incredibly tough. I knew I was under immense pressure, a pressure that undoubtedly surpassed my opponent's. I was acutely aware of what this victory means for China." Zheng said.

She started strong in the match, leading 5-3, but lost the first set in a tiebreak to the seasoned former world No. 1 Kerber, 4-7.

Facing adversity, Zheng unleashed her full potential, striving to turn the tide. In the second set, she significantly improved her focus on serve receiving and adjusted her tactics. While solidifying her own service games, she launched a series of offensive plays, leveling the match at 6-4.

In the decisive set, despite signs of fatigue from both players, their fighting spirit remained unyielding. Trailing 1-4, Zheng relied on her incisive attacks and tenacious will to keep herself in the game. With consecutive holds and breaks, she caught up to 4-4. After a 6-6 draw, they entered a tiebreak once more. This time, Zheng did not let victory slip away.

At the moment of triumph, Zheng was moved to tears, "I've broken through my own limits. When I secured this victory, my emotions were uncontrollable."

"I've always dreamed of winning a medal for China. Today, I gave my all, especially when I was 1-4 down in the final set. It was my mental strength that supported me. Seeing the national flag in the stands filled my heart with strength," she said.

"If this were a regular match, I might have lost. But this is the Olympics, the dream of all athletes, I'm grateful to have won today's match and still be standing on the court."

Zheng will face the world No 1 Iga Swiatek for a shot at the medals, who advanced to the women's singles semifinals due to her opponent's injury.

The semifinal will be a significant challenge for Zheng on her quest for an Olympic medal. She will face the formidable Polish powerhouse, who boasts a 23-match winning streak on clay and has defeated Zheng in all six of their previous encounters.

Additionally, in the mixed doubles quarterfinals, the temporary partners Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen achieved a comeback against the No 2 seeds, the Australian pair of John Peers and Storm Sanders, after saving two match points.

"Today's opponents were very strong. We were still looking for ways to deal with them in the first set. Although we lost the tiebreak, our receiving and response were very good, and this experience helped us to come back in the second set," Zhang said.

Wang and Zhang will face the Dutch pair of Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof in the semifinal. Wang said that she thought it's best not to think too much and just execute the tactics. "Often, the more determined you are, the better it might be," she said.