World No. 7 Qinwen Zheng’s sensational China Open run came to a close on Saturday after a 6-3, 6-4 semifinal defeat to unseeded No. 49-ranked Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic. Despite rambunctious support from the Diamond Court fans, Zheng couldn’t find the energy to come out on top in a close battle.
“I felt that today I wasn't able to get the maximum rest and concentration,” Zheng said in a press conference afterward. “I wasn't focused enough, I wasn't able to put in 100 percent. I could have done better.”
The 28-year-old Muchova’s experience and consistency shined as she dealt with a crowd that was vocally in favor of her opponent. She didn’t let the pressure faze her, calmly placing her shots to perfection as the match went on.
“It was really, really loud at some points,” Muchova said in her post-match press conference. “But it's not my first time playing someone from the country at the center court. I'm used to that.”
Muchova and Zheng couldn’t be separated as the match got underway, and the players held their serve through the first five games. But the sixth game brought a pivotal turn of events for Zheng. She served at 15-40 and the two players rallied until Muchova hit a drop shot that forced the 21-year-old forward. Zheng lost her balance and crashed to the ground, giving Muchova the service break to go up 4-2. Everyone in the stadium held their breath as Zheng remained on the ground for an extended period of time (taking a medical time out), holding her hands to her face.
“I know exactly why I fell, because I wasn't focused enough. I was too tired,” Zheng said. “Of course I felt the pain. Bruises on my palms, blood on my fingers. I wasn’t able to run. But the most important thing is I wasn't feeling mentally strong.”
After two medical timeouts, the players returned to the court to finish the rest of the match. Zheng battled resiliently, notching two service winners and two aces in the eighth game. However, she was unable to break her opponent’s serve, and Muchova won the set in the ninth game.
The second set began much like the first, as Zheng and Muchova held their first service games. However, Zheng looked unsteady in the third game, and a costly double fault handed Muchova another service break. From then on, each player served consistently to finish out the set. Zheng saved two match points in the ninth game to bring the set to 4-5, but once again, her inability to break Muchova’s serve proved costly. The Czech player held at love in the 10th game to close out the match.
Muchova has significant momentum entering the final after overcoming No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals on Friday and now No. 5 seed Zheng on Saturday.
“I had great matches. I felt good on the court,” Muchova said. “I'm just happy I was able to perform well against these big players and put up my game and that I could see that I can face them, I can beat them.”
Muchova will face No. 4 seed Coco Gauff of the United States in the championship on Sunday. They have faced each other twice last year, and Gauff won both times in straight sets. However, this will be their first meeting outside of the United States.
“We played a year ago, so we are different players today and tomorrow. I'll just try to play my best and challenge her and hope for the best result,” Muchova said.