WTA Finals: Zheng blitzes Paolini to make semis in Riyadh
Zheng Qinwen has booked a spot in the last four of the WTA Finals after a dominant performance against fellow Purple Group hopeful Jasmine Paolini on Wednesday in Riyadh.
The Chinese No.1 came into the match needing a victory to make the semi-finals in her first-ever appearance at the year-end championships, and she delivered in style with a 6-1, 6-1 romp.
It was a powerful serving display that led Zheng to dispatch Paolini in just over an hour, with the 22-year-old firing down 12 aces and saving both break points she faced.
In return, she broke her opponent five times, capitalising on a nervous outing by the Italian.
“I finally feel that my serve begin to be a bit more consistent,” Zheng said after the match.
“I remember in 2022 my serve also was quite strong.
“I don’t know why suddenly in 2023 my serve started to drop.
“In this tournament and the rest of this half year is the first time I’ve felt like the serve start to be back.”
Zheng, who was a $1.33 favourite with tennis bookmakers heading into the match, has now beaten Paolini in all four of their meetings.
“She started to serve better and better and it’s tough to read her serve,” the beaten Paolini said afterwards.
“It’s tough to forget this match because I was so nervous.
“Couldn’t find a solution to play against her.
“It was a tough day. There are some positive matches as well.
“But today it’s a very negative one.”
Zheng now joins Aryna Sabalenka in advancing from the Purple Group, with one more semi-finalist to be found from the Orange Group on Thursday.
Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova will both by vying for the remaining spot, with Coco Gauff already qualified courtesy of her wins over Jessica Pegula and Swiatek.
Swiatek takes on Daria Kasatkina, who enters the event as an alternate in place of Pegula after the American withdrew on Wednesday due to injury.
The Pole is a -714.29 favourite at Bovada to defeat Kasatkina, but even a victory will not guarantee her a spot in the last four.
Swiatek will also need Gauff to defeat Krejcikova in Thursday’s other match, as the Czech can still finish top of the Orange Group if she defeats her American opponent in straight sets.
Tennis betting sites have a 2-0 result to Krejcikova at +550, while a Gauff victory is as short as -333.33.
Join the Betting Planet team!
Are you passionate about sports betting? Sports news writers required TODAY!
Experienced preferred but not essential. (All apps considered).
View Careers at Race Media
