Tennis

Zheng Qinwen Captures China's First Olympic Ping pong Gold Award in Paris #.\n\n( L-R) Silver medallist, Croatia's Donna Vekic, gold medallist, China's Zheng Qinwen as well as bronze medallist Poland's Iga Swiatek position along with their awards on the platform at the presentation ceremony for the women's singles ping pong event on Courthouse Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympic Video Games, in Paris on August 3, 2024. Photo through Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA\/ AFP by means of Getty Images).\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Chinese banner flew from her shoulders like a cape.\n\n\n\nA grinning Zheng Qinwen rose right into past history capturing Croatian Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier to end up being the initial Chinese gamer to capture an Olympic tennis gold award.\n\n\n\nMORE: Shapovalov Disqualified in DC QF with Shelton.\n\n\n\nDischarging one ultimate forehand winner down free throw line, Zheng hit her way into past history then plunged to the reddish clay falling flat on her back in large high spirits while her box went bonkers.\n\n\n\n\" That indicates everything given that since I was actually a little kid I definitely wish the gold medal for my nation,\" Zheng said to NBC's Britney Eurton. \"Perhaps not gold-- only an award-- and also this time I created it.\n\n\n\n\" A gold medal, nobody performed that in tennis in Asia. I experience so delighted to generate record ... Yeah, this emotion boggles the mind.\" There was primary reason for extensive occasion.\n\n\n\nIn her Olympic debut, the 21-year-old Zheng not only became a champion from a 10th various nation to record an Olympic women singles gold award, she completed the best vibrant tournament run of her profession.\n\n\n\nZheng saved a fit time defeating American Emma Navarro 6-7( 7 ), 7-6( 4 ), 6-1 in a contentious clash. That return was actually an overture to Zheng ceasing three-time Conquest champ Angelique Kerber 6-7( 4 ), 6-4, 7-6( 6) in a legendary quarterfinal.\n\n\n\nIn the semifinals, Zheng roared with seven of the last eight video games surprising Polish planet No. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 as well as snapping the four-time French Open champ's 25-match Roland Garros winning streak in the process.\n\n\n\nQinwen Queen of Paris! Qinwen Zheng becomes the very first Mandarin player to ever win a single people gold medal at the Olympic Ping Pong Occasion! #Paris 2024 #Olympics

tennis pic.twitter.com/ZNYR2lND8Nu2014 ITF (@ITFTennis) August 3, 2024.
Today's ultimate was much closer than the scoreline proposes.
Australian Open finalist Zheng broke in the position video game, resisted three rest points in the initial set as well as played with more hostility and poise than the professional Vekic.
Settling intense drinks, Zheng maintained her nerves at shutting opportunity finishing off two Grand Slam champs and also her fellow medalists en option to the gold award.
" Well the final aspect I am actually definitely nervous my palm is actually drinking actually every suit when I go to the bathroom my body is actually drinking," Zheng said to NBC's Britney Eurton. "Since I never ever experience so hungry, similar to this, to win one match.
" I might provide every little thing I can, but I understand ping pong does not work like this. It is actually certainly not you give every thing and also receive continuously the outcome you want. I believe therefore pleased with on my own that this time I trump the tension, I trumped the limit of myself.".
Each females had actually spared a match factor en option to this historic Olympic final.
Riding a 10-match winning touch in to this gold-medal match, Zheng opened along with an assurance grip at 15.
Equipped along with the self-confidence that originates from succeeding 13 of her final 15 matches, Vekic appeared a little nervous at the start squirting three forehand errors to cede the break and also a 2-0 result in the Chinese.
The 21-year-old Zheng denied a pair of rest points-- holding up against the second when Vekic skipped a forehand down the line long-- and also hurt a provide winner overcoming a tense grip for 3-0.
Aspects were actually developing bodily as Zheng bound a topspin forehand just inside the standard that helped her keep at 30 for 4-1 after 26 minutes of play.
Facing a 2nd break factor in the seventh video game, Zheng came forward threw down a smash as well as flicked a great forehand decrease volley to wait. Evading the issue, Zheng moved a short forehand to keep for 5-2.
Diminishing a dropper, Zheng appeared a reply. Vekic seemed to be to participate in an out ball as a leaping Zheng stabbed a backhand volley for 15-30.
Tiny frames ultimately opened the set in Zheng's benefit. The Chinese broke a forehand down the line on video game objective. Vekic stood up an index finger to signify it was out, nevertheless the office chair moderator inspected the mark and also reigned the drive really good. Rather than a Vekic keep the game continued.
The 13th-seeded Croatian directly overlooked her personal forehand down free throw line to face collection aspect. Pounding a massive forehand, Zheng snatched a one-set lead with her second rest of the last.