NEW YORK — China’s Zheng Qinwen produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the 2026 US Open, rallying from 5-0 down in the deciding set and saving a match point to defeat American Madison Keys and reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
Zheng, who entered the tournament through qualifying after a lengthy recovery from right elbow surgery, defeated the 2025 Australian Open champion 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 in a dramatic third-round battle.
The Olympic gold medalist won the final seven games of the match after appearing to be on the verge of elimination.
From 5-0 Down to an Unbelievable Victory
Keys appeared to have complete control after racing to a 5-0 lead in the third set.
The American also held a match point at 5-1 and seemed only moments away from booking her place in the last 16.
But Zheng refused to surrender.
The Chinese star saved the match point, began chipping away at Keys’ lead and then completed an astonishing turnaround by winning seven consecutive games.
“I just told myself keep holding every single point, never give up, stay there, and somehow, little by little, it just happened,” Zheng said after the victory.
Injury Comeback Makes Victory Even More Remarkable
The victory marked another major milestone in Zheng’s return to the top level of tennis.
The former world No. 4 underwent right elbow surgery and saw her ranking fall outside the world’s top 100, forcing her to battle through three qualifying matches just to reach the US Open main draw.
Ranked No. 121 entering the tournament, Zheng has now transformed her qualifying run into a place in the fourth round — becoming the first qualifier since Emma Raducanu in 2021 to reach that stage at the US Open, according to Reuters.
Her comeback against Keys also demonstrated that the Paris Olympic champion is beginning to rediscover the form that once took her to the top four in the world rankings.
Keys Left Frustrated After Stunning Collapse
For Keys, the defeat was a devastating end to a match she appeared certain to win.
After dominating the opening set and taking a commanding lead in the decider, the American struggled to close out the contest as Zheng’s confidence grew.
Keys later admitted that fear and pressure affected her ability to play freely during the final stages of the match.
“She started playing better; I started playing poorly,” Keys said. “Then I felt like I couldn’t play tennis anymore.”
The loss was particularly painful after Keys had produced her own escape act in the previous round, saving five match points to remain in the tournament.
This time, however, she found herself on the opposite side of one of the US Open’s most dramatic comebacks.
Swiatek Awaits in the Fourth Round
Zheng’s reward is a blockbuster fourth-round meeting with six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.
The match will revive memories of their clash at the Paris Olympics, where Zheng defeated Swiatek on her way to winning gold.
Swiatek advanced after overcoming Czech player Marie Bouzkova in two tight tiebreak sets, setting up another high-profile showdown with Zheng at Flushing Meadows.
For Zheng, the upcoming match represents another major test.
For Swiatek, it is a chance to avenge one of the most significant defeats of her recent career.
Upsets Shake US Open as American Hopes Take a Hit
Keys was not the only major American name to exit the tournament.
Taylor Fritz suffered a stunning five-set defeat to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo after leading by two sets, while last year’s finalist Amanda Anisimova was beaten by Anastasia Potapova.
Coco Gauff provided one of the few bright spots for US fans, defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in straight sets to advance.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old American Iva Jovic defeated Philippines star Alexandra Eala in three sets to set up a fourth-round clash with Gauff.
Zheng’s Message: Never Give Up
For much of the deciding set, Zheng appeared headed for an early exit.
She was exhausted, trailing 5-0 and facing a match point against one of the tournament’s most dangerous players.
Yet she found a way back.
One game became two.
Two became three.
And before Keys could stop the momentum, Zheng had won seven straight games and completed one of the most extraordinary turnarounds of the tournament.
The result sends Zheng into the US Open’s fourth round and adds another remarkable chapter to her comeback from injury.
From qualifying to the last 16 — and from 5-0 down to victory — Zheng Qinwen has delivered a comeback that Flushing Meadows will not soon forget.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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