During the 2024 Asian swing, Chinese media humorously dubbed Aryna Sabalenka `the mountain that Zheng Qinwen has yet to overcome,` highlighting Sabalenka`s dominant 5-0 head-to-head record against Zheng.
Zheng will have another opportunity to conquer this `mountain` in the Miami Open quarterfinals. Both players secured their spots in the quarterfinals by winning their respective last-16 matches in straight sets. Zheng, the No. 9 seed, overcame a late surge from Ashlyn Krueger on Butch Buchholz Court, winning 6-2, 7-6(3) in 1 hour and 29 minutes. Simultaneously on Stadium court, top-seeded Sabalenka ended No. 14 seed Danielle Collins` title defense with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in 1 hour and 18 minutes.
Sabalenka`s dominance over Zheng is evident in their past match scores. Their closest encounter was at the Wuhan final last year, Zheng`s home ground, where Sabalenka narrowly won 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. In their other four matches, Sabalenka has consistently won in straight sets, conceding only 20 games in total, including their recent match at the 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh.
Head-to-Head Record
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng: 5-0
Sabalenka`s Perfect Record Against Collins Continues: Zheng isn`t the only player struggling to defeat Sabalenka. Collins has now lost all seven matches against the World No. 1, managing to win only three sets in total.
Collins kept both sets competitive, leveling the score to 3-3 in both sets after early breaks and saving two match points on her serve in the second set. However, Sabalenka maintained control, hitting 23 winners (including seven aces) compared to Collins` 17. Sabalenka also displayed remarkable accuracy with only 12 unforced errors, while Collins made 30.
“I feel my serve is back,” Sabalenka stated, reflecting on her improved performance since the Australian Open. “After the Open, we focused on regaining my serving form. I`m very pleased with my serve now. Against Danielle, I served strategically, sometimes powerfully, but mostly intelligently. I`m happy to see my serve working well again.”
Sabalenka has now reached her third Miami quarterfinal. She aims to advance further this time, having previously lost to Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and Sorana Cirstea in 2023.
Zheng`s Consistent Pattern in Miami
Zheng`s Miami Open victories this year share a similar pattern: a dominant first set followed by a more challenging second set. In the second round against Lauren Davis, she won 6-1, 7-5 after leading 6-1, 3-1. In the third round against Taylor Townsend, she won 6-1, 7-6(3).
Against Krueger, ranked No. 40, Zheng was equally dominant for the first set and a half, winning seven consecutive games to lead 6-2, 3-0. Her serve was nearly unbreakable, while Krueger struggled with forehand errors. However, Krueger found her rhythm, breaking Zheng in the fifth game of the second set. The set then became a tight contest.
Krueger started finding her forehand range and creating opportunities. At 5-5, a shot that could have given her a 0-30 lead on Zheng`s serve went just wide. In the tiebreak, Krueger`s groundstroke errors returned, and a forehand into the net gave Zheng the victory on her first match point.
After a slow start to 2025, Zheng has regained momentum with quarterfinal appearances in both Indian Wells and Miami. She now aims to reach her first semifinal since the WTA Finals Riyadh.
Rupert Caldwell