Zheng Qinwen made history at the Zhengzhou Open, claiming her second career title, but this one was extra special as it was on home soil. In a thrilling three-set final, she battled her way to victory and then celebrated with an impromptu karaoke session during the trophy ceremony.

The 21-year-old sensation sealed her remarkable week with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win against Czech seventh-seed Barbora Krejcikova. Zheng joined an exclusive club as just the third Chinese woman to win a singles title at the WTA 500 level or higher, following in the footsteps of Li Na and Zheng Saisai.

This year marked a significant milestone in WTA Tour history as three different Chinese women secured singles titles in a single season. Zhu Lin triumphed in Hua Hin, Wang Xiyu in Guangzhou, and Zheng made her mark with her first trophy in Palermo back in July. Witness the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet. 

Zheng faced a momentary setback after winning Asian Games gold, suffering a disappointing first-round loss at the China Open to Elena Rybakina. However, she bounced back remarkably, claiming the biggest title of her young career just 13 days later.

Reflecting on her victory, Zheng expressed, “That was such a special experience to win my first 500 in China, especially in Zhengzhou.” Her triumph will propel her back into the top 20 in the rankings when they are updated on Monday.

The match saw Zheng and Krejcikova engage in a fierce battle, with both players delivering impressive shots and extended rallies. Zheng started strong, taking a 2-0 lead, but Krejcikova mounted a comeback, winning five consecutive games to take the first set.

Aware of her low first-serve percentage, Zheng regrouped and began the second set on a high note, securing an early break and establishing a 5-2 lead. Her improved first-serve percentage of 68% in the set was crucial to her success.

The final set was a nail-biting tug of war, with the quality of play escalating. The rallies grew longer, and both players showcased incredible shots under pressure. Zheng ultimately seized the advantage, breaking Krejcikova and closing out the match with a one-two punch and three service winners.

Krejcikova, who was aiming for her third title of the season from four finals, acknowledged the challenge but praised the week’s experience. In a year filled with finals, only Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have reached more singles finals than Krejcikova, highlighting the competitiveness of the women’s tennis circuit. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.