It's time to win! Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen finally beats world No.1

Zheng Qinwen of China celebrates after winning the women's singles semi-final tennis match between Zheng of China and Iga Swiatek of Poland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 1, 2024.

Chinese tennis favorite Zheng Qinwen upset the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland to reach the women's singles final. At the same time, her compatriots Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen also made history by sailing into the Paris Olympics tennis mixed doubles final here on Thursday.

The victories marked China's best result in both events at the Olympics after two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na finished fourth in the women's singles at Beijing 2008.

After a three-set tough win over German veteran Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinal on Wednesday, Australian Open finalist Zheng fought even harder to defeat Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 at Roland Garros, ending her six straight losses to the four-time French Open winner.

"I finally showed I could beat the world No.1 on her best surface. I always knew I could do it, but there is a difference between knowing you can and showing it. Now, I feel my mental strength is at another level, and I will give everything I have in the final," said Zheng, who will face the 13th seed Donna Vekic of Croatia on Saturday.

The 21-year-old added, "I am so happy to make this history for Chinese tennis. I have always wanted to be one of the athletes who can get a medal for China and our country, and right now, I'm one of them."

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