Iga Świątek Upset in Olympic Semifinals
- Iga Świątek, the top seed and world No. 1 from Poland, was defeated by China's Zheng Qinwen in the Olympic tennis semifinals.
- The loss is considered a major upset in the women's singles event.
- This unexpected outcome highlights the emerging competition in women's tennis.
In a stunning turn of events at the Olympic tennis tournament, Poland's Iga Świątek, the world No. 1 and top seed, was defeated in the semifinals by China's Zheng Qinwen. The match concluded with Zheng winning in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, marking a significant upset in the women's singles competition. Świątek, a dominant force at Roland Garros with four titles, including three consecutive championships, faced a formidable challenge from Zheng. Zheng expressed her elation after the match, stating, “I defeated the world No. 1, the player who has been reigning champion at Roland Garros for years.” She acknowledged the physical demands of the match but felt prepared to compete for her country, emphasizing her stamina. The first set saw Zheng take control early, while Świątek rallied in the second, nearly forcing a tiebreaker before ultimately succumbing to Zheng's pressure. This loss marks Świątek's first defeat at Roland Garros since 2021, a surprising outcome given her previous performances in the tournament. Despite her earlier confidence, including a challenging match against Danielle Collins, Zheng's past successes against Świątek on this court hinted at the potential for an upset. Looking ahead, Świątek will compete for the bronze medal against the loser of the match between Vekić and Schmiedlová, as she seeks to bounce back from this unexpected setback in her Olympic journey.