US Open PIX: Qualifier Zheng's stunning fightback sends Swiatek packing

Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen stunned six-time major champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 after recovering from 0-5 down, extending her remarkable US Open comeback into the quarterfinals. IMAGE: China's Zheng Qinwen celebrates after winning her US Open round of 16 match against Poland's Iga Swiatek in New York on Monday. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters Key Points Zheng Qinwen recovered from 0-5 down, saved three set points and stunned six-time major champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3. Swiatek had dominated their previous meetings 7-1, but Zheng produced a composed performance to claim another major upset. The Olympic champion has returned to top form after chronic right elbow problems and surgery last year. IMAGE: Iga Swiatek won the first five games but Zheng Qinwen came back strongly to grab the next seven games to clinch the first set. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen produced another spectacular fight back to upset six-times major winner Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 in the US Open on Monday, recovering from 0-5 down in the opening set to reach the quarterfinals. The Olympic champion battled her way through qualifiers amid a career slump and has recaptured her top form in New York, getting the best of an opponent who had led 7-to-1 in their head-to-head before Monday. IMAGE: Zheng Qinwen will meet either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina as her spectacular US Open run continues. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters "I have to say I start the match not so well and after little by little I found my rhythm," said Zheng, whose chronic right elbow injury stunted her career and forced her to undergo surgery last year. "I just focused point by point and little by little I started to play better tennis." She next plays either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina. • PIX: Andreeva Rallies Past Potapova, Breaks New Ground at US Open IMAGE: Iga Swiatek gets medical attention during a break in play. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/Reuters Zheng appears to do her best work with her back against the wall, recovering from five games to love in the deciding set of her third round match this week, and she found the magic again at Arthur Ashe Stadium, saving three set points to the increasing frustration of the 2022 champion Swiatek. Swiatek took a medical timeout after the third game of the second set, having a physio come and massage her left thigh, but did not appear to struggle as she returned to the court. Zheng broke her opponent with a backhand winner down the line in the seventh game and broke again on the fourth match point, leaving Swiatek in tears again two years after she stunningly beat the Pole in the Olympic semifinals.