China’s top player Zheng Qinwen prevailed against compatriot Zhu Lin 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to become just the second Chinese player to make the final of the WTA Elite Trophy. The 18th-ranked Zheng needed 3 hours, 19 minutes to see off the 37th-ranked Zhu. Zheng has now won eight matches in a row, including winning the Zhengzhou Open this month.
ZHUHAI, China — China’s top player Zheng Qinwen prevailed against compatriot Zhu Lin 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 on Saturday to become just the second Chinese player to make the final of the WTA Elite Trophy.
Zheng has now won eight matches in a row, including winning the Zhengzhou Open this month. She also won the Asian Games gold medal, against Zhu, last month. Zhu responded by taking another marathon set to force a decider. But Zheng’s serve was a telling difference as she powered to a 5-1 lead and then saved two break points to hold and clinch the win.
Earlier, 19th-ranked Haddad Maia maintained her perfect record this week with her third consecutive straight sets victory. The 93-minute win over 17th-ranked Kasatkina followed her opening upset victory over second-seeded Madison Keys, and then Caroline Garcia to win the group.