Zheng Qinwen, Aryna Sabalenka Set for China Open

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen enthralled a packed crowd at the China Open, advancing to the third round alongside top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Zheng, celebrating her first home match since winning gold in Paris, dominated Russian Kamilla Rakhimova with a 6-1, 6-1 victory, while Sabalenka faced challenges before securing a 6-4, 6-1 win over Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Both players are on a collision course for a semi-final rematch of their previous Australian Open encounter, where Sabalenka emerged victorious. Zheng expressed her delight at the electric atmosphere, remarking on the full stands. Sabalenka, although initially struggling with her rhythm, found her footing in the second set and expressed relief at progressing. The fifth seed Zheng is set to face either Nadia Podoroska or Dayana Yastremska next.