Olympic champion Zheng now meets No.19 seed Liudmila Samsonova in the Last 16
©Julien Crosnier / FFTZheng Qinwen bt Victoria Mboko 6-3, 6-4
The tennis certainly matched the glorious sunshine gracing the picturesque landscape of Court Simonne-Mathieu on Friday.
A Top 10 talent in the form of Zheng Qinwen against a teenager destined for a bright future in Victoria Mboko. The shot making was a joy to watch as the Olympic gold medallist booked a second-week ticket at Roland-Garros 2025.
“I was young (19) when I was last in the fourth round,” joked the 22-year-old during her on-court interview.
It’s a moment, a match, that Zheng vividly remembers. On debut at Roland-Garros 2022, she pushed eventual champion Iga Swiatek 6-7(5), 6-0, 6-2 on this very day three years ago.
“Honestly, when I faced her for the first time seems like yesterday for me,” recalled the Australian Open 2024 finalist. “I remember I was feeling really good in that Roland-Garros, but I lose the match because I got girls' trouble, can't performance 100 per cent.
“But once again I'm here in round of 16. I'm just happy this time and then let's see what's going to happen in this year Roland-Garros.”
Most elite players want to keep adding to their repertoire and the Chinese superstar is no different.
“I think I added more things in my game, especially I'm trying to play more aggressive. I’m going to the net because I have been working hard on that, because I feel it's time to add it in my game.”
That box was ticked for the 22-year-old; she succeeded in seven of 10 points at net. It wasn’t just some well thought through transitions, there was also plenty of variety with the drop shot and short angled forehands.
Mboko didn’t get a look at a regular rally and was evidently impressed.
“Qinwen today, she has really heavy and hard balls. I think I was struggling a lot with that,” she said. “Especially on the clay, her ball is really effective.”
©Julien Crosnier / FFTMboko’s Grand Slam debut has been one of the stories of the tournament. A reward for qualifying, then taking out Lulu Sun and Eva Lys in the main draw, she will move into the Top 100 post Roland-Garros.
The 18-year-old will be the third WTA teenager inside the Top 100, joining Mirra Andreeva and Maya Joint, proving in Paris that she’s one to watch.
It’s the kind of test that could have become very tricky for the No.8 seed.
Up 4-3 in the second set, Zheng managed to hold from 0-40, despite the free-hitting firepower from Mboko. Serving for the match at 5-4, the Canadian youngster earned two break back points. But it was not to be; Zheng’s heavy serving and major experience told.
“I want to say congrats to my opponent. I thought she played really well. We pushed each other to play our best tennis,” Zheng said.
“She's really good player for me. She hits the ball really hard, and then she had a great serve. She had huge power. She moves on the court really well.
“It was honestly really tricky and tough match, because I know if my mental[ity] goes a bit down or lose focus, I feel she gonna turn around the match.
“I would say today I had one of the greatest tennis [matches] that I play here so far. I'm really happy to face her today, and I'm sure it's not gonna be the last time. I will face her more time in the future. I wish her all the best, as well.”
©Julien Crosnier / FFTThe last time Zheng competed at Roland-Garros, the world No.8 stepped onto the podium to receive an Olympic gold medal.
She saved match point to inch past Emma Navarro in a three-hour tussle, the same timeframe needed to get past former world No.1 Angelique Kerber in the subsequent Olympic quarter-final. Into the semi-finals, Zheng upset then world No.1 Swiatek to snap the Pole’s 20-match winning streak on clay.
“In the last year, the Olympic Games gives me a lot of strength,” said Zheng, who defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 to win gold. “Also, I got a lot of inspiration from the win. That many matches was really difficult. I know that I'm capable to go through many fights.”
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
