Zheng jousts past Kenin to lift the Tokyo Open trophy
The top seed from China overcame Sofia Kenin in straight sets in the title clash on Sunday
Zuma / Panoramic
Chinese Zheng Qinwen, the top seed, beat American wildcard Sofia Kenin 7-6 (5), 6-3 to win the Tokyo Open trophy at the Ariake Coliseum on Sunday.
Zheng and Kenin tussled bravely for two hours, seven minutes in the final that only saw one break of serve.
The Chinese produced better numbers on the first serve with a win percentage of 88 against Kenin’s 62, also hitting a staggering 16 aces to the American’s zero. She kept her serve unchallenged meanwhile converting one break point of the total nine she created on her opponent’s serve.
This is Zheng’s second title on the WTA Tour for the season as she triumphed in Palermo by defeating Czech Karolina Muchova (6-4, 4-6, 6-2) in the final.
“Thanks to my team, always first because I will not be here without you,” she said to her coach Pere Riba and other team members after the win. “You’re really important for me, to bring me here. All of you did a great job with me. Thank you so much.”
Ahead of her victory in Tokyo, Zheng, ranked No 7, defeated Japanese Moyuka Uchijima (7-5, 6-0), Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the No 8 seed (6-0, 1-6, 6-3) and Russian Diana Shnaider, the No 6 seed (7-6 (5), 6-3).
Set 1: Kenin Saves six break points
Zheng Qinwen set the tone for the match in the initial few games as she threatened Sofia Kenin’s serve twice in the fifth game. She went after Kenin in seventh game as well, creating four more break points but the American hung tough to save them all.
The two players remained inseparable after the first 12 games, thus, forcing a tiebreaker where the eventual champion sealed the set with three mini breaks.
Notably, seven of Zheng’s aces came in the first set, winning 100 percent of her first-serve points. However, she also sprayed a double fault whereas Kenin committed two.
Set 2: Zheng finally breaks
Zheng, the world No 7, managed to secure her first break of the match in the second game of the second set.
The proceedings then didn’t witness more break-point conversions as the Chinese crossed the finish line after jousting for more than two hours, adding nine more aces to her tally.
“Congrats to you,” she said addressing Kenin after the win. “You did a great job and I saw you have a tape today, to play with hurt I know this feeling. You fight so hard on court. I really appreciate you give such a great match to the crowd.”
