Chinese tennis – and the women’s game in general – is witnessing the ascent of a new star in Zheng Qinwen.
The 20-year-old, notable for her huge forehand, striking magazine shoots and iconic nickname, overpowered last year’s US Open finalist Ons Jabeur on Monday in New York.
She is the sixth Chinese major quarterfinalist in tennis history, but the youngest of the lot.
“Honestly the feeling was fantastic, especially in that moment,” Zheng said of sealing a 6-2 6-4 victory over Jabeur on her fourth match point.
“I feel this is like (an) important win for me. It's a breakthrough.”
It is her third career top-five win, and sets up a mouth-watering quarterfinal against reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka, the new world No.1 after Iga Swiatek’s exit, crushed Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-3. She belted another 31 winners – Kasatkina managed seven – to boost her overall winner tally to a tour-leading 677 at this year’s majors.
For all of Sabalenka’s power, Zheng brings plenty of her own into Wednesday’s US Open clash.
Zheng recorded the heaviest forehand of all women who won at least one match at AO 2023; she was ranked No.1 in spin (2,699 rpm) while also being in the top 10 for speed (122.6 km/h).
With the AO 2023 men’s average spin and speed being 2,729 rpm and 124.5 km/h respectively, it means Zheng’s forehand is almost as big as the average ATP player.
"That is one massive game that can take her a long way,” former world No.4 Jelena Dokic observed in commentary after Zheng beat Jabeur.
Jabeur was similarly impressed after losing to the Chinese talent for the second time.
“Her game is definitely different from the other players that I played. She has more spin… her ball is kind of heavy, so that was a little bit difficult for me,” Jabeur assessed.
“I tried to stay in (the match), and every time she showed that she's there. Just a great game for her.”
Players are not the only ones recognising Zheng’s talent and upside.
Promoters have identified her potential as a figure emerging from one of the biggest tennis markets in the footsteps of Li Na, who kick-started China’s original tennis boom and who has inspired Zheng’s journey.
The Tennis Podcast spotted the moment Zheng signed a copy of Li Na’s book, held out to her by an autograph hunter, shortly after her breakthrough win in New York.
Zheng’s success has seen her adorn the covers of multiple magazines, and her star power continues to grow.
Such cut-through has helped her steadily build an engaged fanbase who have christened her “Queenwen”.
It’s believed this stemmed from an endearing mispronunciation of her name. “Qinwen” is correctly pronounced somewhere between “Chin-wen” or “Shin-wen”, but at first glance for English speakers, it reads like “Kwin-wen”.
From there, it’s an easy shift to “Queenwen”. And she loves it.
“Especially, I love, Queenwen, this name. Come on, it’s ‘queen’!” she laughed on court.
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No Chinese player has progressed to a major semifinal since Peng Shuai did so, at the same tournament, almost 10 years ago.
If Zheng was to match that, she would likely surpass her career high ranking of world No.19.
She said she has learned not to think too far ahead. She also knows what she is capable of achieving.
“I always believe that I'm able to beat everyone if I play the right tennis that I have to play. Of course, the opponent will also play good,” Zheng said.
“But I believe that if I'm really there fighting for every point, things are going to happen.”