Qinwen Zheng confirms ‘breaking her own expectations’ as she becomes China’s first-ever gold medal in singles

Qinwen Zheng defeated Donna Vekic in straight sets to win the first ever singles Olympic gold in tennis for China.

Qinwen Zheng confirms ‘breaking her own expectations’ as she becomes China’s first-ever gold medal in singles

Qinwen Zheng (Via Imago)

Qinwen Zheng beat Donna Vekic to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday (August 3). She became the first Chinese tennis player to do so and played an amazing match to get the win. It was an easy, straight-sets victory for the Chinese to fend off Vekic.

Both players had fought hard to reach the final. Vekic dominated the bottom half of the draw, which included a win over Coco Gauff, Zheng managed to beat Iga Swiatek in the semis.

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With the top seeds out, it was up to Vekic and Zheng to try to win gold for their country. Unfortunately, the Croatian did not have the same fight inside her as she did in the previous matches and lost 6-2, 6-3. Zheng had taken the lead one too many times and even saved a few. Despite Vekic constantly looking to break her, she managed to win the match.

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It was an important victory for Zheng, who revealed that she had outdone herself and would remember this special win whenever she was down.

I feel super proud of myself that this time I beat the pressure. I beat my own limit. I didn’t know before I was able to go through 5 matches in a row. Especially 7 hours in 2 days. I feel here in this tournament I broke through my limit. In the future it doesn’t matter how far down I am, I’ll remember this moment and it will cheer me up.
Qinwen Zheng said after the match.

It was not all bad for Vekic. Even though she missed out on gold, the Croatian won a silver medal for her country. Even though she was far from her best in this match, Vekic surprised everyone with some amazing tennis all week.

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Qinwen Zheng inspired by tennis great Li Na to win gold at the Paris Olympics

Chinese youngster Qinwen Zheng has always been a player with immense talent. She won some important matches over the last two years but this Olympics win was the best of her career.

Qinwen Zheng
Qinwen Zheng (Image via Imago)

The Chinese player gave it her all against Donna Vekic on Court Philippe Chatrier. She held the lead for as long as possible and finished the match point with shaky hands. After the win, she fell to the ground, overcome with emotions.

Her idol Li Na had also done something similar in 2011 when she won the Roland Garros to become the first Chinese woman to win a Grand Slam. Those two important moments that happened on that very court would mean a lot for the Chinese fans.

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