Zheng Qinwen back to Olympic gold form as she breezes into quarter-finals at Indian Wells
China’s gold medal star brushes aside Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in straight sets to set up a clash with Iga Swiatek at BNP Paribas Open
Zheng Qinwen looked to be back in Olympic gold medal form on Wednesday, brushing aside Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-2 to march into the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
The Chinese star has yet to drop a set in California, and never looked in danger on court, wrapping up her win in one hour and 20 minutes in a match delayed by rain
Up next is defending champion and world No 2 Iga Swiatek on Friday, in what will be the 22-year-old Zheng’s first appearance in the last eight of the tournament.
“She’s a really good player … When I play against her, I’m trying 500 per cent, whatever happens,” Zheng said, after finally getting off court at 11.25pm.
“Today, it’s working really well. My game is there and I feel good; good timing on court [and the] more the match goes on, I start to feel better and better.”
The opening set was a wild affair, with both players holding serve for the first three games before trading five consecutive breakpoints. Zheng eventually took a 5-3 lead, breaking Kostyuk to love before holding for the set.
