World number 7 Zheng Qinwen has shrugged off claims she feared coach Wim Fissette knew she would have Naomi Osaka’s advantage, as the Chinese tennis star says she is constantly developing her game and that her only concern before the match was to play his tennis.
After parting ways with Osaka in mid-2022 after two and a half years together, Fissette began working with Zheng at the start of the 2023 grass-court season. Early in their partnership, Zheng, 21, appeared to be making progress with Fissette as coach and many thought it was a great collaboration.
But then, after the 2023 US Open, Zheng shocked everyone when she announced that Fissette had basically abandoned her so he could return to working with Osaka. While sharing this, Zheng seemed quite frustrated with the whole situation and she made no secret that she was extremely disappointed in Fissette.
On Monday in Rome, Osaka faced a top 10 player for the first time since beginning her post-pregnancy comeback. And his opponent was Zheng, who handed him a 6-2 6-4 defeat.
After the match, Zheng was asked if she was concerned that there was something in her game that Fissette could share with Osaka and give her the advantage. Responding to the question, Zheng said that was not the case as she was focused on her game and being the one who would be the best mentally and mentally.
“I honestly don’t care because I think players, especially me as a player, I’m trying to develop my game all the time. I’m always trying to find the space where I can improve “I feel once I stop to improve, that’s when my tennis gets worse,” Zheng replied.
“They have their own game plan. I have my own game plan. So let’s fight today and see who has a better feel, a better mentality, a better game today.
“Like what I said before, today the match went my way. I feel pretty good about my serve, my return and all my groundstrokes. So, yeah, I’m pretty happy with today’s victory.”
Zheng on her victory against Osaka and the greatest respect for her: she has won many Grand Slams
After breaking Osaka in the first game of the match, Zheng was instantly broken in the next game. However, Zheng continued to play her game and winning the first set was never in doubt as the Chinese earned back-to-back breaks in the fifth and seventh games to still win the first set quite easily.
Early in the second set, Zheng broke Osaka in the first game of the set, then cruised her way to a straight-sets victory over the four-time Grand Slam champion.
“Yes, obviously, today it is not easy to play against her because she has already won many Grand Slam tournaments and she is difficult to beat. I gave everything on the court and I am glad that today the match went my way,” said Zheng. .
For Zheng and Osaka, it was their second meeting. Previously, Osaka beat Zheng 6-4 3-6 6-1 in their first round meeting in San Jose in August 2022.
When asked if the loss to Osaka two years ago had any impact on her participation in the match in Rome, Zheng simply pointed out that it was a completely different situation and that she was not thinking about their meeting which took place almost two years ago.
“Honestly, I’m just happy to be clean today because this match happened a long time ago. It was my first year on tour. There’s nothing like this match,” explained Zheng.
Because at that time too we are playing on a hard pitch. The game was totally different, difficult to play… Today I stayed clean, I prepared my game and I went for it.”
“I think no matter who I play against, it’s good for me. I think when you’re in the quarterfinals, all the players are hungry. Especially me, I’m really excited to play my next match again,” said Zheng said.
Zheng on Coco Gauff’s next role
After defeating Osaka, Zheng awaited the winner of the match between Gauff and Paula Badosa. After the first set of the match, former world number 2 Badosa was closer to winning the match, but third seed Gauff then created a comeback to seal a 5-7 6-4 6-1 victory and also organized a meeting against Zheng. .
For Zheng, 21, and Gauff, 20, their quarter-final in Rome will also be the first time they face each other.
“I would say they’re both hard to beat. They’ve had some really good performances before. It doesn’t matter who I’m playing against, I’m just going to show it all, do my best, treat them like the best player I can have. I’m going to face in front. Just enjoy my tennis,” Zheng said when asked about playing Gauff or Badosa.
