The women’s singles third round of the WTA 1000 Rome tournament will take place today (May 9), with Chinese star Zheng Qinwen set to take on Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
Journalist Chen Xiaoxiao noted that for Zheng Qinwen, meeting Ostapenko in the third round carries both promise and concern. On the positive side, Zheng has been a tough opponent for Ostapenko, holding a perfect 3-0 record in their previous encounters, which occurred at the 2022 US Open, the 2023 Abu Dhabi tournament, and the 2023 Zhuhai Elite Trophy. On the flip side, Ostapenko’s powerful serve and heavy baseline groundstrokes can pose a significant threat when she is in form.
Their last meeting was more than two years ago. Since then, Zheng has undergone surgery and rehabilitation, adding pressure to gain points in Rome. In the second round, Zheng defeated 30th seed Bouzkova 2-0, with a thrilling 8-6 tiebreak in the first set, showing an improving competitive rhythm. Throughout the first two rounds in Rome, Zheng had moments that kept fans on edge, but she relied on her serving skills and baseline ability to turn the tide. After the match, she admitted that she is still not at her peak but can make up for it by playing more matches. Ostapenko is also not in her best form, and both players need a win to get back on track.
In terms of playing style, Zheng’s defensive counter-attacks and baseline consistency are well-suited to neutralize Ostapenko’s game. If Zheng can withstand Ostapenko’s initial burst of power, extend the rallies, and hit deep shots on the clay, she may force her opponent into errors.