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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

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

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.

The 19-year-old went toe to toe with Samsonova in a tight match but had her service broken late in the first set to let the Russian take control.

Both players traded breaks midway through the second set but the decisive moment came when Samsonova took a 6-5 lead to serve for the match.

Samsonova calmly picked off her opponent in the final game and sealed the deal when Zheng hit a return wide.

Liudmila Samsonova (right) holds her Pan Pacific Open champion’s trophy and Zheng Qinwen holds the runner-up trophy at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: AP

Samsonova’s win came after a host of big names made early exits from the tournament.

US Open semi-finalist Caroline Garcia of France joined Badosa in a second-round exit, while Japanese home favourite and defending champion Naomi Osaka withdrew with abdominal pain.

The tournament was being held for the first time since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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