Zheng Qinwen hails consistency after third title of the year in Tokyo

TOKYO — Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen hailed her newfound consistency after capturing her third title of the year on Sunday, beating Sofia Kenin in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo.

China's Zheng beat American Kenin 7-6 (5), 6-3 to extend an impressive run of form this year for the world No 7.

The 22-year-old became the first Chinese player to win an Olympic singles tennis gold when she triumphed in Paris.

She also won in Palermo and finished runner-up in Wuhan and at the Australian Open.

Zheng struggled for consistency after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne at the start of the year, and she said it had forced her to reevaluate her mindset.

"When I made the final at the Australian Open, everybody said it was really good, but afterward, I had ups and downs at the other tournaments," she said.

"I started to repair myself and start thinking again about the kind of mentality I need."

Zheng, the top seed in Tokyo, kept her cool to edge a tight first set, despite two rain delays, before pressing home her advantage to take the second comfortably.

She hit a total of 16 aces to finally lift the trophy, having lost to Russia's Liudmila Samsonova in the final two years ago.

"I did some good preparation here," she said. "In all the matches I played, only one went to three sets, so I would say it's a quite successful tournament for me."

Kenin injury scare

Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, had an injury scare when she retired from her doubles semifinal on Saturday.

She played the final with heavy strapping on her upper leg and said she "felt it", but "Qinwen played well and deserved to win".

It was the world No 155's first final of 2024, and she was looking to end a title drought that stretches back more than four years.

"I expected nothing but the best from her because she's been having an amazing year and she's a top-10 player," said Kenin.

"I just wanted to see where I stand. I feel like, overall, it was a great match."

Neither player was allowed to get into a rhythm early in the match, as rain twice brought play to a halt.

The roof was eventually closed and Zheng edged ahead with the slimmest of margins to take the first set in a tiebreak.

Backed by a large contingent of Chinese fans, the 22-year-old took control of the second set early.

She closed it out when Kenin hit a return that was called in, but overturned when Zheng successfully appealed.

"I was pretty sure the ball was out because I saw the mark," said Zheng.

"In my eyes it was far away, but when the challenge came out it was really close, only a tiny bit."

Zheng has already qualified for next month's season-ending WTA Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia.

"It's tough to say if it's going to help me in Riyadh, because every tournament is different," she said.

"The conditions change a lot. Of course, it's going to help with my confidence."

Zheng earned her third title of the year and first on a hard court since winning in Guangzhou last year. She has gone 28-4 since Wimbledon, including a 12-2 run during the tour's Asian swing.

The 25-year-old Kenin had one of the best performances of the season. The American was ranked as high as No 4 early in 2020. However, a series of injuries, including ankle and quadricep ailments, made her WTA ranking drop to its current 155.

The WTA Finals begin Nov 2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

AFP