Overview
- Zheng defeated 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to advance at the Qatar Total Energies Open.
- She returned after months out following elbow surgery, explaining the recovery took longer than she and her team anticipated.
- After a rusty first set, she won 12 of the final 15 games, added variety with drop shots, and won 80% of her first‑serve points.
- Asked about potential five-set matches at majors, she said she is not afraid of the format and believes longer matches could benefit her.
- Her second-round opponent is American Alycia Parks, who upset 15th seed Diana Shnaider in a deciding-set tiebreak.