China’s Zheng Qinwen produced one of the biggest comebacks of the 2026 US Open, recovering from 5-0 down in the opening set to defeat eighth seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 and reach the quarter-finals.
Swiatek appeared in control after racing to a 5-0 lead, but Zheng won seven straight games to snatch the first set 7-5. She carried that momentum into the second set to complete a remarkable victory.
The win caps a stunning turnaround for the 23-year-old, who entered the tournament ranked 121st in the world after returning from right elbow surgery. Zheng also had to come through three qualifying matches to reach the main draw.
She has now won eight consecutive matches in New York, including qualifying. Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion and six-time Grand Slam winner, could not recover from her first-set collapse. She also took a medical timeout in the second set for treatment on her left thigh.
Zheng won despite landing just 43 per cent of her first serves. She won 80 per cent of points behind her first serve, compared with 67 per cent for Swiatek.
The victory also improves Zheng’s recent record against Swiatek. The Pole had won seven of their previous eight meetings, with Zheng’s only victory coming in the semi-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Zheng has now beaten Swiatek in two of their last three encounters.
Her run in New York has already featured another remarkable comeback. Against Madison Keys in the third round, Zheng trailed 5-0 in the deciding set and saved a match point before fighting back to win 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5. The Olympic champion will face either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
