'I didn't face her like a normal player': Zheng Qinwen shares one reason behind poor performances against Aryna Sabalenka in past

China’s Zheng Qinwen has highlighted one factor that played a key role in her disappointing performances against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the past. The 22-year-old secured one of the biggest wins of her career on Wednesday as she defeated the reigning world number one, Sabalenka, in the quarterfinal in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3.

The win was an important one for Qinwen as it was her first win over the three-time Grand Slam winner in seven outings. Talking after the match, the Shiyan-born star stated that one of the reasons why she had a difficult time against Sabalenka in the past was because she had too much ‘respect’ for her.

"It's just… before, I saw her play when I was 14, 15 years old. I think the few times when I faced her in the beginning, I give too much respect,” She said. “I didn't face her like a normal player. I remember I was going to see her in 2017 in China... I was there as a junior. I (saw) her in the finals. My father was there saying, Oh, Sabalenka, you need to learn about her forehand, her backhand. I think with this kind of respect, it takes a while for me to treat her like a normal player. So today, I'm just happy that I stayed really calm and I faced her like a normal player and I did what I have to do. I'm just really happy to get the win.”

Qinwen will now face America’s Coco Gauff in the last four clashes of the competition on Thursday. The 21-year-old cemented her spot in the semifinal of the competition after beating Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6. It will be the third meeting between the two players in professional tennis. In both previous meetings, Qinwen had an edge as she won on both occasions.