“Zheng Qinwen Opens Up About the Frustration Leylah Fernandez’s Dad Caused”

World No. 7 Zheng Qinwen recently shared her thoughts on a tense match against Leylah Fernandez at the Wuhan Open, during which she felt distracted by Fernandez’s father and coach, Jorge. However, Zheng emphasized that she never acted disrespectfully or said anything that would provoke an argument, despite the distractions.

The incident occurred during their round-of-16 match, where Fernandez took the first set 7-5. At the start of the second set, with the score tied at 1-1, Zheng paused the match to address Fernandez’s father, who had been vocal during her service games. At one point, Fernandez asked Zheng what the issue was, leading to the chair umpire getting involved. The situation seemed to shift the momentum of the match in Zheng’s favor, as she went on to win 11 of the next 13 games, ultimately securing a 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 victory.

Explaining the situation, Zheng revealed, “I was distracted in the first set by what her dad was saying. He kept yelling, ‘Come on, come on,’ just before I was about to return the serve. That’s why I lost focus during a critical game.” Despite the challenge, Zheng remained composed and clarified that her reaction wasn’t disrespectful. “I didn’t use any bad language; I just expressed what I was feeling,” she said. Overcoming the distraction and some physical discomfort, Zheng was pleased with her ability to stay focused and secure the win.

Following the victory over Fernandez, Zheng faced Italian Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals. Though Paolini made a strong comeback, Zheng maintained her composure and won the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, setting up an all-Chinese semifinal against world No. 51 Wang Xinyu. This matchup marks a milestone for Chinese tennis, as it is the first-ever WTA 1000 semifinal featuring two Chinese players.

Reflecting on this achievement, Zheng acknowledged the significance of the moment: “It shows how much Chinese tennis has improved. It’s never easy playing a fellow compatriot, but I’ll treat her like any other opponent.”

As for a potential final against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng remained focused on the present. “I’m not thinking about Sabalenka or the final. My only focus is on Wang and giving my best in the next match,” she concluded.