Angelique Kerber, the former world No.1, concluded her illustrious professional tennis career in a dramatic quarterfinal defeat at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday. No.6 seed Zheng Qinwen of China emerged victorious in a captivating three-set battle, with the final scoreline reading 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(6). This gripping encounter marked the end of an era for the 36-year-old German, who had announced Paris as her career swansong prior to the Games.
Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion, came tantalizingly close to securing another Olympic medal, leading 4-1 in the decisive third set. However, Zheng, fresh off a marathon 3-hour and 12-minute victory against American Emma Navarro where she saved a match point, showcased remarkable resilience to claw back and clinch the quarterfinal berth in a 3-hour and 4-minute marathon. The tension was palpable as Zheng served to stay in the match twice in the final set, demonstrating immense composure under pressure. The final set tiebreak was a microcosm of the entire match – a rollercoaster of emotions and high-stakes tennis.
In a nail-biting tiebreak, Kerber saved three consecutive match points, two with stunning winners that highlighted her enduring competitive spirit. Just when it seemed Kerber might turn the tide, Zheng conjured a delicate backhand drop shot winner, creating her fourth match point. This time, she sealed the victory as Kerber’s forehand found the net, bringing an end to a captivating contest and Kerber’s remarkable career.
From your iconic double-fistpumps and KOMM JETZTs, to your unwavering will to win… 💪💪
We’ll miss you out there, @AngeliqueKerber.#DankeAngie
— wta (@WTA) July 31, 2024
This quarterfinal clash, the second-longest match of the Olympic tournament, was a fitting testament to Kerber’s career. While Zheng dominated in the winner count, unleashing 48 groundstroke winners compared to Kerber’s 21, Kerber’s signature counter-punching style, acute angles, and unwavering fighting spirit were on full display, reminiscent of her vintage best.
The opening set perfectly encapsulated this dynamic. Kerber surged to a 3-1 lead but then found herself trailing 5-3. Despite the pressure, Zheng couldn’t convert to set points. Kerber, displaying her renowned grit, broke back to force a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, the left-hander seized control, winning five of the last six points to secure the first set advantage.
However, Zheng, demonstrating her own resilience, shifted the momentum in the second set. A marathon game at 1-1, the longest of the set, saw Kerber squander five game points. Zheng eventually capitalized on her sixth deuce opportunity to break serve. Despite this setback, Kerber, true to her fighting nature, remained in contention, aiming for another upset in her final competitive appearance.
Yet, the world No. 7 Zheng found another gear late in the second set. She unleashed a powerful surge, winning three consecutive games and dominating 12 of 16 points to level the match and force a decisive final set where every serve, especially in the tense final games and tiebreak, carried immense weight. The question of who would serve more effectively and hold their nerve in the crucial moments of the zheng vs kerber final set was ultimately answered by Zheng’s steely resolve.
OVER 3 HOURS LATER… 🥵
Zheng Qinwen defeats Angelique Kerber in three sets and becomes the second Chinese player, woman or man, to reach the singles semifinals at the Olympic Tennis Event – after Li Na. #Paris2024 | #Olympics | #tennis
— ITF (@ITFTennis) July 31, 2024
Zheng’s victory propels her into the Olympic singles semifinals, making her only the second Chinese woman to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Li Na, who finished fourth in 2008. She is now set to face world No.1 Iga Swiatek for a chance to compete for an Olympic medal. Meanwhile, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova’s remarkable run at the Olympics continued as she defeated Wimbledon champion and No.9 seed Barbora Krejcikova, also securing her place in the semifinals. However, the day will largely be remembered for the enthralling Zheng vs Kerber final set and the emotional farewell to a tennis legend.
