Iga Swiatek's Olympic gold hopes dashed by Asian Games champ Zheng Qinwen in SF at Paris 2024
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek's quest for the gold medal at the Paris Olympics came to an end on Thursday with a rather surprising loss to Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals. Zheng, the current Asian Games champ, came into the clash with a winless record against the five-time Grand Slam winner.
Swiatek, who has won the last three French Open titles at Roland Garros, started rather nervously in the clash. Although she managed to hold her first two services after saving break points, Zheng broke serve twice after that to wrap up the set 6-2.
In the second set, the Pole started tremendously well and raced to a 4-0 lead. However, it quickly fell away, as the Chinese roared back with two breaks of her own and restored parity at 4-4. At 5*-5, serving to take the lead, Swiatek faltered again and lost her serve. Then serving for the match, Zheng saved one break point at 30*-40, and then converted her first match point to book her spot in the final after nearly two hours of play.
This is the furthest Swiatek has reached at the Olympics, and will now fight for a chance at the bronze medal. Meanwhile, Zheng is the first Chinese tennis player, male or female, to reach the final at the Olympic Games in history.
The head-to-head between the duo is now 6-1 in favor of the World No. 1, with this being Zheng's first-ever win in their meetings. In 2024, it is 2-1 for Swiatek, who had prevailed in straight sets in both previous meetings.
Iga Swiatek to take on either Donna Vekic or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the bronze medal play-off at Paris Olympics
Despite the loss to Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals, Iga Swiatek is not entirely out of the Paris Olympics. Swiatek will next take on the loser of the other women's singles semifinal in the bronze medal play-off, either Donna Vekic or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
The Pole is in action only in singles in Paris. Originally, she was set to play in mixed doubles with Hubert Hurkacz but had to withdraw after the latter pulled out of the tournament due to injury.
After the Olympics, Swiatek will move on to the North American hardcourt swing, including the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and the US Open.