Zheng Qinwen continued her impressive run at the China Open, defeating No. 18 seed Marie Bouzkova in a three-set match, 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-5. This victory marks Zheng's third consecutive deciding-set win of the tournament. Since the US Open, Zheng has played nine matches that went to a third set, winning seven of them.
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Following Bouzkova's backhand error on Zheng's second match point, the enthusiastic home crowd saw Zheng celebrate with a "Let's go" cheer and a striking pose reminiscent of a superhero. There was speculation about whether the pose was inspired by soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo or the Japanese series "Sailor Moon." However, Zheng clarified to reporters that it was actually a tribute to "Shen Bing Xiaojiang," a Chinese animated series she enjoyed as a child. Zheng explained that the pose represented a transformation gesture from the show and expressed nostalgia for the theme song she used to sing.
Zheng described the China Open as akin to her fifth Grand Slam, and after reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open, she now finds herself in the fourth round of the tournament in Beijing for the second time; her first appearance in the fourth round ended with a semifinal finish in 2024.
Next, Zheng will face Alina Charaeva, who recently upset World No. 1 Elena Rybakina. The two players met once before on the WTA Tour in 2020, where Zheng came back from a set down to win their match on clay in Marbella, Spain.