Zheng Qinwen Advances to Miami Open Last 16 After Victory Over Taylor Townsend
Zheng Qinwen of China triumphed over host nation's Taylor Townsend with a score of 6-1, 7-6 in the women's singles third round at the Miami Open in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. This victory allows her to advance to the round of 16, matching...
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Zheng Qinwen of China triumphed over host nation's Taylor Townsend with a score of 6-1, 7-6 in the women's singles third round at the Miami Open in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. This victory allows her to advance to the round of 16, matching her best performance in a Women's Tennis Association tournament.
In their previous encounter, Zheng had lost to Townsend after letting a one-set lead slip away, resulting in her exit during the Miami Open qualifiers in 2019. However, she displayed impressive form right from the start of their latest match, quickly establishing a 5-0 lead in the first 17 minutes. Although Townsend managed to avoid a bagel by holding serve in the sixth game, Zheng comfortably closed out the set to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set proved to be more competitive, with neither player able to secure a break. Zheng maintained her composure and held serve in the 10th and 12th games, pushing the set into a tiebreak. The No. 9 seed jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak and managed to withstand a mini-rally from Townsend, setting up a clash in the last 16 against another American player, Ashlyn Krueger.
On the men's side, Alexander Zverev smoothly defeated British qualifier Jacob Fearnley, combining effective serving with strong baseline play. He saved the only two break points he faced and concluded the 74-minute match with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
For Zverev, who had a disappointing exit in Indian Wells, this victory marked his 145th Masters 1000 win, surpassing Tommy Haas for the most by a German player. He is set to face Australia's Jordan Thompson next.
"Happy to kind of have improved a few things from Indian Wells, where I didn't feel well on the court. I didn't feel like I played good," Zverev told reporters. "Hopefully this is just the first of many matches for me here and I can continue playing well."
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
In their previous encounter, Zheng had lost to Townsend after letting a one-set lead slip away, resulting in her exit during the Miami Open qualifiers in 2019. However, she displayed impressive form right from the start of their latest match, quickly establishing a 5-0 lead in the first 17 minutes. Although Townsend managed to avoid a bagel by holding serve in the sixth game, Zheng comfortably closed out the set to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set proved to be more competitive, with neither player able to secure a break. Zheng maintained her composure and held serve in the 10th and 12th games, pushing the set into a tiebreak. The No. 9 seed jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the tiebreak and managed to withstand a mini-rally from Townsend, setting up a clash in the last 16 against another American player, Ashlyn Krueger.
On the men's side, Alexander Zverev smoothly defeated British qualifier Jacob Fearnley, combining effective serving with strong baseline play. He saved the only two break points he faced and concluded the 74-minute match with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
For Zverev, who had a disappointing exit in Indian Wells, this victory marked his 145th Masters 1000 win, surpassing Tommy Haas for the most by a German player. He is set to face Australia's Jordan Thompson next.
"Happy to kind of have improved a few things from Indian Wells, where I didn't feel well on the court. I didn't feel like I played good," Zverev told reporters. "Hopefully this is just the first of many matches for me here and I can continue playing well."
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
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