Despite entering the semifinal on a 20-match winning streak on clay, Olympic gold favorite Iga Swiatek has been eliminated from the women’s tennis tournament.
The world’s top-ranked player was defeated in straight sets by Zheng Qinwen from China, 6-2, 7-5.
For Swiatek, the upset loss is her first at the Roland Garros tennis complex in three years; she had previously won four of the last five French Opens to prove herself the world’s best player on clay. In addition, Zheng entered the game a combined 0-6 against the Polish star.
And yet, the match started off with Zheng quickly gaining an advantage over her competitor. Winning an early break in the first set, she forced Swiatek into the defensive. The tournament’s top-seed never recovered, and eventually conceded the first set in rather lopsided fashion.
The tables appeared to have turned early in the second set. Swiatek looked considerably more comfortable, and jumped to a 4-0 lead. However, Zheng clawed her way back into the set and eventually brought it to the brink of a potentially decisive tiebreak.
That never happened, though: Zheng was able to break Swiatek one final time to go up 6-5, before serving for the eventual victory. The final point was played after 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Thanks to her upset over Swiatek, Zheng has now become the first Chinese tennis player — male or female — to reach an Olympic gold medal match. At worst, she will return home as silver medalist. After beating the heavy favorite in the semifinals, however, her sights will be set on more than just appearing in the final.
The second semifinal, which will start at 1 p.m. ET, will see Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) take on Donna Vekic (CRO). No matter who wins, they will be underdog against Zheng.
Swiatek, meanwhile, will face the loser in the third-place match with a bronze medal on the line.
