On January 25, Beijing time, China's 22-year-old tennis player Zheng Qinwen played in the Australian Open women's singles semifinals, and her opponent was Yastremska from Ukraine. In the semi-finals, Zheng Qinwen defeated Russian star Karinskaya 6-7, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time, creating a new career history. Zheng Qinwen's predecessor Li Na won the Australian Open in 2014, was runner-up in 2011 and 2013, and is ranked No. 2 in the world.
In the first set, Zheng Qinwen completely suppressed Yastremska and led 4-3 in the first seven games. However, when Zheng Qinwen was in good condition, Yastremska applied for a medical timeout, which completely disrupted Zheng Qinwen's rhythm. Subsequently, Zheng Qinwen made consecutive mistakes, but fortunately adjusted in time, Zheng Qinwen won the 8th game and took a 5-3 lead. In the 9th game, Yastremska held serve and chased the big score to 4-5. In the 10th game, Zheng Qinwen relied on the serve to score constantly, and finally succeeded in holding serve and won the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Yastremska held serve in the first game, and in the second game, Zheng Qinwen dropped 4 straight balls to hold serve, as long as it was a service game, Zheng Qinwen could basically win it, and Yastremska was helpless. In the third game, Yastremska was obviously anxious, and Zheng Qinwen broke serve to lead 2-1. In the fourth game, Yastremska broke serve to tie the score to 2-2, and the two sides exchanged a service game. In the 5th game, Yastremska held serve, and Zheng Qinwen temporarily fell behind 2-3. In the 6th game, Zheng Qinwen successfully held serve, with a big score of 3-3. In the 7th game, Zheng Qinwen continued to break serve and led 4-3, and one foot had basically stepped into the door of the final. In the 8th game, Zheng Qinwen held his serve and led Yastremska 5-3. In the 9th game, Yastremska held serve, and Zheng Qinwen still led 5-4, so there was no need to worry at all. In the 10th game, after Zheng Qinwen got the match point, he hit a serve and won 6-4.
Zheng Qinwen defeated Yastremska 2-0 on aggregate to reach the final of the Australian Open. After the promotion, Zheng Qinwen shook his fists in celebration, and shouted very domineering in the arena. After the game, CCTV immediately congratulated Zheng Qinwen, who had achieved extraordinary achievements.
In the other semi-final, Sabalenka eliminated Gauff 7-6(2), 6-4 to reach the final of the Australian Open for the second year in a row. Zheng will face defending champion Sabalenka in a challenge, but with just one win left and Zheng will surely be ready.
Zheng Qinwen made a new career history, she reached the final of the Australian Open for the first time, guaranteed to be the runner-up, and according to her current form, Zheng Qinwen has a good chance of winning the title. After years of hard work, Zheng Qinwen came to the peak of her career, and her efforts also paid off greatly, after winning in the quarterfinals, Zheng Qinwen received 4.67 million in prize money (990,000 Australian dollars), and after reaching the final, she received 8.12 million (1.725 million Australian dollars) again, and earned a net of 12.79 million US dollars in 2 games.
Zheng Qinwen has achieved great success on the court, his commercial value has also been greatly enhanced, and his sponsors have continued, and the last tennis player with such appeal was Li Na. In December last year, Forbes released a ranking of the highest-paid female athletes of the year, and Zheng Qinwen received $7.2 million, ranking 15th, becoming the first Chinese tennis player after Li Na to enter the list.