Pan Pacific Open: Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen falls in final hurdle – but still makes history

The 19-year-old’s stunning run in Tokyo ends with 7-5, 7-5 defeat by Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova on Sunday

But she will become the first Chinese teenager to crack world’s top 30, after reaching her first career final

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Liudmila Samsonova (right) of Russia and Zheng Qinwen of China join hands at the end of their final at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:46pm, 25 Sep 2022

Zheng Qinwen’s stunning run in Tokyo may have ended with defeat in Sunday’s Pan Pacific Open final, but she will become the first Chinese teenager to crack the top 30 of the world rankings on Monday.

Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova won her third title in four tournaments by beating Zheng 7-5, 7-5. The red-hot world No 30 triumphed in Washington and Cleveland in August and she produced a string of giant-killing upsets in the Japanese capital on the way to another title.

Samsonova beat Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and two-time grand slam winner Garbine Muguruza and did not drop a set all week.

“It was a really tough match because huge congrats to Qinwen and her team because she’s playing amazing,” the 23-year-old said. “Seriously, congrats guys. It was a nervous match today. We were fighting every point. It was tough.”

Despite the loss, Zheng still enjoyed a stellar week in Tokyo, having become the first Chinese teenager to reach a WTA singles final.

Zheng Qinwen is set to crack the top 30 next week. PhotoL EPA-EFE

The fast-rising teenager knocked out top seed Paula Badosa in the second round – her first win over a top 10 opponent. She is just the second teenager to reach a WTA 500-level or higher final this season, following Coco Gauff’s run to the French Open final.