Chinese tennis stars shine bright at French Open

In the vibrant setting of Paris, the 2024 French Open has set the courts ablaze with riveting matches, as Chinese players take center stage with their stellar performances.

Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return during the women’s singles first round match against Alize Cornet of France at the French tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

During the opening round, 7th seeded Zheng Qinwen showcased her prowess, delivering a masterclass performance that saw her effortlessly dispatch French veteran Alize Cornet in straight sets, securing her berth in the second round and marking her third consecutive year of breaking through the initial rounds at Roland Garros.

With a history of encounters against Cornet, Zheng approached the match with unwavering confidence. She dominated the first set, breaking Cornet’s serve twice early on, leading to a commanding 4-0 advantage. Despite a minor setback when losing her serve in the sixth game, Zheng swiftly regained control, securing another crucial break in the seventh game before smoothly closing out the set at 6-2.

Maintaining her relentless form in the second set, Zheng continued to apply pressure, breaking Cornet’s serve in the third game to establish an early lead. She further broke serve twice more in the fifth and seventh games, ultimately triumphing with a 6-1 set score, securing her passage to the next round.

At this year’s French Open, two Chinese talents, Zheng and Yuan Yue, are competing as Wilson-sponsored athletes at Roland Garros. While Zheng displayed her dominance with a convincing victory, Yuan, making her main draw debut, faced a tough challenge and was defeated 1-6, 3-6 by the clay court specialist Mayar Sherif, unable to progress further in the tournament.