China’s Qinwen Zheng and former Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova from Czech Republic will face each other in the final of the Bank of Communications Zhengzhou Open after powering through their respective semifinals.
Zheng carries home title hopes
Qinwen Zheng overpowered Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 62 63 in one hour 15 minutes to delight the home crowd and make it to the final. Despite not feeling she played her best today, Zheng once again got the better of the Italian, as she had done in their only previous meeting in Palermo in July. A place in her first WTA Tour final in China will add to an already stellar year for Zheng in which she has won her first WTA title in Palermo and reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the US Open.
Qinwen Zheng said:
“Honestly I feel I played better in the second match I played, I feel like I could have played better today, especially my serve could be better, but I won the match at the end and it’s great that I have another chance to show my game. I would like to be more aggressive in the next match, there are a lot of things I would like to improve still.”
On facing Barbora Krejcikova
“I don’t know too much about her game and I’ve never played against her before so I don’t know what I’m going to face because it’s different when you watch a video and how she really hits the ball in reality. So I’m just going to play my game, I’m going to be aggressive, maybe more than today and at the same time I will try to play solid and just be focused on the moment and what I’m going to do right now. I will prepare mentally for a touch match and focus on the present.”
Krejcikova eases past Kasatkina
Czech star Barbora Krejcikova overcame Daria Kasatkina 63 60 in one hour 30 minutes in a match that began competitively but shifted in the Czech’s favour half way through the second set. Looking ahead to the final the 2021 Roland Garros champion is relishing the chance to play in front of the loud, passionate fans in Zhengzhou.
Barbora Krejcikova said:
“The first couple of games we played like half and hour and we were fighting for every ball and then at 4-3 something changed and I was more patient and I played my shots, I’m very happy with that.”
On her form this week
“I feel every match is difficult and everyone knows how to play tennis so I think every match gave me a little bit of confidence and everyday I was playing better and better. It’s a really nice reward to be in the final and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
On facing home favourite Qinwen Zheng
“It’s perfect, I’ll be looking forward to it because I like the atmosphere and the people when they are cheering so it’s going to be special and I’m definitely going to enjoy it. I know she’s playing well and she is a difficult opponent but I’m just looking foward to play her.”
In the doubles final tomorrow top seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe will face third seeds Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara.
Results – Saturday, Oct 14
SF – [7] B. Krejcikova (CZE) d. [8] D. Kasatkina 63 60
SF – Q. Zheng (CHN) d. J. Paolini (ITA) 62 63
Please find Sunday’s Order of Play below.
For all the scores, results, draws and info from Zhengzhou, CLICK HERE
