The Chinese Zheng Qinwen, Olympic champion and world No.7, beat the Kazakh Elena Rybakina (N.5) 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-1, after a match of 2h24, Monday in Riyadh at the WTA Masters.
Zheng strong in tie-break
After this new defeat for Rybakina, already beaten on Saturday by the Italian Jasmine Paolini (N.4), the Kazakh's chances of qualifying for the semi-finals in this Violet group are very slim. A victory for Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (world No. 1) against Paolini in the second group match on Monday will eliminate her.
In the first set, Zheng saved two break points at 1-1, before immediately taking the opponent's serve to break away 3-1, then 4-1.
Rybakina stayed in the match by taking Zheng's serve on a double fault from the Chinese to return to 3-4, then 4-4.
In the deciding game, Zheng broke away 4 points to 1 by taking advantage of four errors in a row from Rybakina, obtained three set points at 6/3, and pocketed this set in almost an hour, thanks to a backhand too long from the Kazakh.
A first between the two players
In the second round, the level went up a notch, the match gained in intensity. The two players, playing well at the same time, went blow for blow. Zheng obtained the first break point at 2-2, on which Rybakina gave in under the power of her forehands.
But the Kazakh broke immediately, on her first break point too, then delighted Zheng's commitment to lead 5-3 and equalize at one set all on a shutout.
In the decisive set, Zheng broke first again, at 2-1, thanks to a long-line backhand return leaving Rybakina on the spot. She confirmed this break with a shutout to lead 4-1.
Unlike the first set, Rybakina will not be able to come back this time, losing for the first time against the Chinese in three confrontations.
