Zheng goes from 5-0 and match point down to victory

Zheng Qinwen characterized her US Open third‑round comeback over Madison Keys as a “very melodramatic match” – but that description falls short of the reality. The Olympic champion, who had to navigate qualifying to earn a place in the main draw, found herself trailing 5‑0 and a break in the third set against Keys. Nevertheless, Zheng held her nerve, reeled off seven consecutive games and clinched a 1‑6, 7‑6 (7‑3), 7‑5 victory over the 22nd seed and crowd favorite. Keys, the reigning 2025 Australian Open champion, appeared poised for a routine win after capturing the opening set in just 23 minutes. Zheng, who is rebuilding her career after elbow surgery the previous year, fought back, secured the tiebreak and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the American. After falling to the court in relief, Zheng reflected on a challenging 12‑month period during which she has questioned whether she would ever regain her form. “Finally, a spot of luck is connected my side,” the 23‑year‑old said. “I americium conscionable telling myself ever springiness up. Somehow, small by little, it's conscionable happened.” “Tennis sometimes feels similar rollercoaster. You spot galore times radical person a lucifer point, but astatine the extremity we made a comeback.” She becomes the first qualifier to reach the women’s fourth round at the US Open since Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who went on to claim the 2021 title.