US Open: Zheng Qinwen blames sleepless night for quarter-final loss, eyes China ‘prime time’
Chinese Olympic champion had finished her previous match at 2.30am the previous day, and was unable to practise before facing Aryna Sabalenka
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said her tame US Open quarter-final exit was caused by a sleepless night following the record late finish to her previous match, but predicted she would be “prime time” when she gets back to China.
Zheng was back on court on Tuesday evening to face world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka having played until 2:15am on Monday to complete her last-16 victory over Donna Vekic.
The 21-year-old Zheng said she got to bed only at 5am and was unable to practise on Monday.
“I couldn’t sleep after I finished the match at 2:30 in the morning. I’m not able to practise yesterday because I was feeling terrible. I couldn’t wake up,” said Zheng after her 6-1, 6-2 loss to Sabalenka.
“Sometimes the schedule is like this. If I hit some balls yesterday maybe it would help for the match today, but it’s fine.”
Fresh off winning the Olympic title, Zheng appeared drained and was missing one of the best weapons in her arsenal as she only made 44 per cent of her first serves.
“She’s such an aggressive player,” Sabalenka said. “She’s playing such incredible tennis and it was very tough facing her.”
