Zheng Qinwen of China competes in a women's singles round of 16 match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia at the Cincinnati Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 16, 2024. /CFP
Zheng Qinwen of China had to complete two women's singles matches on Friday at the Cincinnati Open due to heavy rainfall. She first beat Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-1, 7-5 and then lost to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-5, 6-1.
The Cincinnati Open marked the first tournament for Zheng after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. She had been battling a fever since arriving in the United States and was not in her best form as a result.
Zheng's attacks from the baseline in the first set of the second round match against Frech helped her claim the frame in 32 minutes. The second set was much closer, but Zheng broke her opponent's serve in the ninth game. She then started her own service game with an ace. But the contest was suspended due to the weather.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia competes in a women's singles round of 16 match against Zheng Qinwen of China at the Cincinnati Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 16, 2024. /CFP
By the time Zheng sealed the deal to knock out Frech, it was already Friday, and she had to face Pavlyuchenkova just a few hours later in the round of 16. Although Zheng built a 6-4 edge in aces, five of those came in the first set.
As the match went on, fatigue caught up to Zheng, who was unable to muster much resistance in the second set.
Pavlyuchenkova will face Paula Badosa of Spain in the quarterfinals.