"I sat at 3 in the morning crying by myself" - Zheng Qinwen reveals how previous 'painful' US Open loss motivated her for 3R revenge in 2024

Zheng Qinwen recalled her past heartbreak and the motivation it gave her at the ongoing US Open after her 6-2, 6-1, third-round win over Jule Niemeier. In 2022, Zheng fell to Niemeier at Flushing Meadows in the same stage.

Riding high on her gold medal triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Zheng went into her 2024 US Open third-round clash against Niemeier after clinching two three-set encounters against American Amanda Anisimova and Russian Erika Andreeva in the first and second rounds, respectively.

The injury-stricken Niemeier, though, could barely manage to challenge the Chinese. Zheng capitalized ruthlessly on the German's foot injury, wrapping up the contest in just an hour and 21 minutes. During her post-match on-court interview, the Chinese recalled her 2022 US Open experience of playing the German, which culminated in a heartbreaking defeat for her.

According to Zheng, the 2022 defeat to Niemeier left her feeling lonely and tearful.

"I remember that match so clearly. I lost against her at midnight. That match was really painful. I sat for 1 hour at the US Open at 3 in the morning crying by myself alone," Zheng said.

The 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist went on to briefly speak about how the loss from two years back spurred her on to avenge it this time around on The Grandstand.

"Today I was really focused because I didn’t want that feeling to happen again to me. I’m glad I’m the winner today so I don’t have to cry," Zheng added.

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Zheng Qinwen's US Open journey came to an end in the quarterfinals last year

Zheng Qinwen (L) and Aryna Sabalenka (R) (Image via Getty)

Zheng followed up her debut US Open third-round finish in 2022 with a run to the quarterfinals last year, where she was defeated 1-6, 4-6, by eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka.

The Chinese and the Belarusian met again in the Australian Open final this year. Once again, it was Sabalenka who emerged victorious, registering a relatively straightforward 6-3, 6-2 win. This marked the first time a woman was able to successfully defend her Australian Open title in a decade.

At the 2024 US Open, there is a possibility of Zheng facing Sabalenka again in the quarterfinals. As it stands, the Chinese is scheduled to face either Donna Vekic or Peyton Stearns in the fourth round.