Qinwen Zheng continued her extraordinary US Open run by coming from 0-5 down in a set for the second match in a row to knock out six-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek and reach the quarter-finals.
Zheng, who arrived in New York as a qualifier after an injury-hit 2025 season, had trailed former Australian Open champion Madison Keys 0-5 and faced match point in the previous round before winning 1-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5.
Against Swiatek, Zheng again trailed 0-5 in the first set but won seven consecutive games to clinch it 7-5, then converted the only break of serve in the second set to win 6-3. She fell onto her back after converting her fourth match point.
“Well, honestly, I have to say, I started the match not so well,” Zheng said. “Little by little I found my rhythm on the center court because it's been a long, long time. I just really appreciate it to be here in the Ashe Stadium.”
Swiatek, who finished with 28 errors, left the court in tears. Zheng will next face either second seed Elena Rybakina or 13th seed Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals.