During the 2024 Asian swing, Chinese media highlighted Aryna Sabalenka as a significant challenge for Zheng Qinwen, referencing Sabalenka`s 5-0 head-to-head record against Zheng.
Zheng will have another opportunity to overcome this challenge in the Miami Open quarterfinals. Both players reached this stage by winning their last-16 matches in straight sets. Zheng, seeded No. 9, overcame a late effort from Ashlyn Krueger, winning 6-2, 7-6(3) in 1 hour and 29 minutes. Top seed Sabalenka quickly followed, ending Danielle Collins` title defense with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in 1 hour and 18 minutes.
Sabalenka`s dominance over Zheng is evident in their past match scores. Their closest match was in the Wuhan final last year, which Sabalenka won 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. In their other four matches, Sabalenka has not lost a set to Zheng, conceding only 20 games, including their recent match at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Zheng isn`t the only player who struggles against Sabalenka. Collins has now lost all seven of her matches against the World No. 1, winning only three sets in total.
Collins kept both sets competitive, leveling the score to 3-3 after an initial break and then saving two match points in the penultimate game. However, Sabalenka maintained control, hitting 23 winners to Collins` 17. Sabalenka also had fewer unforced errors, with 12 compared to Collins` 30.
`I think my serve is back,` Sabalenka said, mentioning her work on it after the Australian Open. `I`m happy with my serve, especially against Danielle. Sometimes I went for power, but mostly I served strategically. I`m glad to see my serve working well again.`
Sabalenka has now reached her third Miami quarterfinal. She aims to advance further this time, after previous losses to Ashleigh Barty in 2021 and Sorana Cirstea in 2023.
Each of Zheng`s Miami wins this year has followed a similar pattern: a dominant first set followed by a more challenging second set. She defeated Lauren Davis 6-1, 7-5, and Taylor Townsend 6-1, 7-6(3) in previous rounds.
Against Krueger, Zheng was dominant for the first set and a half, leading 6-2, 3-0. However, Krueger fought back, breaking Zheng in the fifth game of the second set. The second set became much closer.
Krueger had chances to take the lead in the second set. At 5-5, a shot just missed, which could have given her a 0-30 lead on Zheng`s serve. In the tiebreak, Krueger`s errors returned, and Zheng won on her first match point.
After a slow start to 2025, Zheng has improved her season with quarterfinal appearances in Indian Wells and Miami. She now aims for her first semifinal since the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
