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Andrew Cesare Richardson

Zheng Qinwen’s straight sets win over Ashlyn Krueger on Monday set up a Miami Open quarter-final match-up with the Olympic gold medallist’s bête noire: Aryna Sabalenka.
The ninth seed powered past American Krueger 6-2, 7-6, but if her impressive run is to continue, she will need to overcome the world No 1 – something she has failed to do in all five previous meetings.
Their next match is scheduled for Wednesday at 7am Hong Kong time, after Sabalenka earned her place in the last eight with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Danielle Collins.
Such is the 26-year-old’s domination over Zheng, that in their five previous encounters China’s No 1 has only ever managed to take a single set off her rival.
Their most high-profile encounter was in last year’s Australian Open final, when the Belarusian defended her title with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory.

Most recently, they met in Riyadh for the first round of the WTA Finals last November, when Sabalenka again stormed to a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Following this match, Sabalenka was asked why she has such a hold over the 22-year-old, and told reporters: “I think [it’s] my mental strength. That’s the advantage over her so far.”
That defeat, the fourth in 2024 alone, led Sabalenka to earn the nickname of “the mountain Zheng is yet to overcome” among fans in China.
They first met at the 2023 US Open quarter-finals, where Sabalenka, then world No 2, defeated her opponent 6-1, 6-4 en route to the final, where she was beaten by Coco Gauff.
Following their Australian Open final match-up, they met again at the same stage in the US 12 months on with an even more comprehensive victory for Sabalenka, who won 6-1, 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka went on to win that tournament, beating Jessica Pegula in the final.
Their next meeting was in the Wuhan Open final in October of that year where Zheng, at a career-high ranking of world No 5, took a first-ever set off the three-times grand slam champion, but lost out 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Neither player has dropped a set in Miami yet with Zheng reaching the quarter-final stage with victories over three Americans so far.


Miami Open: Alexandra Eala dream run ends as Jessica Pegula sets up Aryna Sabalenka final

Philippine wild card Alexandra Eala beats world No 2 at Miami Open tennis quarter-finals

Miami Open: Filipino Alexandra Eala stuns Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula stops Emma Raducanu

Miami Open: China’s Zheng Qinwen out after defeat by Aryna Sabalenka

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Miami Open: China’s Zheng Qinwen to face ‘mountain she cannot climb’ in quarter-finals

Zheng Qinwen celebrates after winning a point against Ashlyn Krueger in the last 16 at the Miami Open. Photo: Reuters

Aryna Sabalenka (left) and Zheng Qinwen after their meeting in Riyadh. Photo: Reuters

England’s routine World Cup qualifying win, Osaka out, Raducanu through in Miami

England captain Harry Kane celebrates with teammates Reece James, Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford and Declan Rice after making it 2-0 against Latvia. Photo: EPA

Harry Kane scores England’s second in their 3-0 win over Latvia. Photo: EPA

Naomi Osaka was beaten by Jasmine Paolini at the Miami Open. Photo: AFP

Delhi Capitals’ Ashutosh Sharma (right) celebrates his team’s win. Photo: AFP

British rider Matthew Brennan wins the first stage of the 104th Tour of Catalonia. Photo: EPA

Miami Open: Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong hails ‘special week’, says he needs to be stronger

Coleman Wong’s historic run at the Miami Open was ended by Adam Walton on Monday. Photo: Getty Images

Adam Walton fires down a serve against Coleman Wong. Photo: Getty Images

Sport

Tennis

China’s No 1 to take on Aryna Sabalenka, an opponent she has managed to win only one set against in five previous meetings


China’s No 1 to take on Aryna Sabalenka, an opponent she has managed to win only one set against in five previous meetings.


ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Zheng Qinwen