# Zheng completes stunning US Open comeback from 5-0 down to defeat Madison Keys

> Qualifier Qinwen Zheng staged a remarkable third-round comeback at the US Open, erasing a 5-0 deficit and a match point in the final set to defeat 22nd seed Madison Keys.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Tennis · **Published:** 2026-09-05 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/tennis/zheng-completes-stunning-us-open-comeback-from-5-0-down-to-defeat-madison-keys-28345 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Qinwen Zheng, US Open, Madison Keys, Tennis, Sports News

Qinwen Zheng continued her remarkable six-match winning run at Flushing Meadows by staging one of the most stunning comebacks of the tournament. The Olympic champion, who was forced to navigate the qualifying rounds to secure a spot in the main draw, faced a seemingly insurmountable deficit against Madison Keys in the third round. Finding herself trailing 5-0 and facing a match point in the final set against the crowd favourite and 22nd seed, Zheng dug deep to orchestrate a dramatic reversal.

## A Dramatic Seven-Game Turnaround
The encounter began with Keys firmly in control, as the 2025 Australian Open champion swept through the opening set in just 23 minutes. Zheng, who is working her way back to peak form following elbow surgery last year, struggled initially to find her rhythm against the hard-hitting American. However, the Chinese star gradually shifted the momentum, clinched a tight second-set tie-break, and eventually completed a stunning 1-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 victory. Overcome with relief at the conclusion of the match, Zheng collapsed onto the court and reflected on the taxing twelve months she has endured while doubting her ability to return to the top tier.

Zheng admitted that fortune finally smiled upon her after a difficult period, noting that she simply told herself never to give up as things slowly fell into place. Describing tennis as an emotional rollercoaster, she pointed out that players frequently face match points only to engineer improbable turnarounds. With this triumph, the Chinese athlete becomes the first qualifier to advance to the women's fourth round at the US Open since Emma Raducanu captured the title in 2021.

## Overcoming Injury and Ranking Struggles
The milestone victory represents a major psychological and physical triumph for Zheng following a harrowing recovery period. Just three months prior, she was reduced to tears during a press conference following an opening-round exit at the French Open. That tournament marked her first Grand Slam appearance since undergoing surgery in July 2025 to repair a chronic elbow injury caused by loose bone fragments. The physical setback arrived on the heels of a breakthrough 2024 campaign that featured a run to the Australian Open final, an Olympic gold medal, and a quarter-final appearance at the US Open.

Having climbed to a career-high ranking of fourth in the world following a strong start to 2025, the extended nine-month layoff and subsequent defeat to Maja Chwalinska in Paris proved deeply frustrating. Her ranking plummeted to 160, compelling her to play in a Grand Slam qualifying event for the first time in four years. Zheng confessed that returning from injury left her feeling drained and momentarily unaccustomed to competitive pressure. Because she returned early to compete in her home tournament in Beijing in October 2025, she missed the six-month threshold required for a protected ranking, leaving her no choice but to fight through the qualifying rounds.

Despite the emotional toll of fighting through qualifying—an ordeal that left her in tears even after winning her final qualifying match—Zheng has rediscovered her resilience in New York, navigating four three-set battles along the way. Her composure under pressure was thoroughly tested against Keys when a baby began crying in the stands while Zheng was preparing to serve at 5-4 and 0-15 down. Maintaining her poise, she joked after the match that while she might have glared at an adult spectator, she could hardly argue with an infant. Zheng promptly swept the next four points to level the set and ultimately secured her historic victory.

## What this means for you
This dramatic encounter offers inspiring lessons on resilience and mental fortitude for athletes and sports fans worldwide.

- **Across Sports:** Athletes recovering from major surgeries and ranking drops can draw motivation from Zheng's refusal to give up under extreme pressure.
- **Tournament Dynamics:** The match highlights how qualifiers who battle through early rounds can become genuine contenders on the Grand Slam stage.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who did Qinwen Zheng defeat in the US Open third round?
Qinwen Zheng defeated 22nd seed Madison Keys in a thrilling three-set comeback.

### 2. What was the final score of the match?
Zheng secured a remarkable 1-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 victory over Keys.

### 3. Why did Zheng have to go through qualifying?
She did not meet the criteria for a protected ranking because she made an early comeback to play in Beijing in October 2025.

### 4. When did Zheng undergo elbow surgery?
Zheng underwent surgery in July 2025 to correct a chronic elbow injury.

### 5. Who was the last qualifier before Zheng to reach the US Open women's fourth round?
Britain's Emma Raducanu was the last qualifier to reach the fourth round, going on to win the 2021 title.

## Inspiration & Lessons
Qinwen Zheng's inspiring journey offers valuable mindset lessons for overcoming adversity.

- **Never Give Up:** Recovering from a 5-0 deficit and a match point demonstrates the power of persistence in impossible situations.
- **Resilience Through Injury:** Rebuilding a career after major surgery requires immense patience and mental toughness.
- **Composure Under Pressure:** Staying calm amidst external distractions, such as crowd noise, helps maintain focus when it matters most.

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