Qinwen Zheng is on fire this season! The 22-year-old tennis star is making waves as she gears up for her first-ever WTA Finals in Riyadh. After clinching Olympic gold in Paris and reaching the Australian Open final, she has become a household name. Ranked No. 7 in the world, Zheng boasts an impressive 47-16 record this year, with titles from Palermo and Paris under her belt. But what’s the secret to her success?

On October 31st, Pam Shriver joined Greg Rusedski on the Tennis Channel Inside-In Podcast to discuss rising stars like Zheng. Shriver emphasized Zheng’s steady progression, noting, “It’s very few players that have that first major breakthrough. And then just…it’s usually a progression.” Zheng first caught attention when she took a set off Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros in 2022. Despite not winning that match, her skills and resilience showcased her potential to be a top contender down the line.

Additionally, Shriver praised Zheng’s coaching relationship with Pere Riba, saying, “Pere Riba was a great coaching match that she was reunited with. I think he’s turning into quite the coach.” Their collaboration began in early 2021 and was instrumental in Zheng’s rise, but they split after the French Open in 2023. Following that, Riba helped Coco Gauff win her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. While Pam noted that the split between Gauff and Riba was unexpected as well, Gauff continued to dominate the court after that.

On the other hand, Rusedski recalled Zheng’s competitive spirit from 2022. She faced Swiatek once again at the 2022 San Daigo Open and grabbed his attention. “She’s a competitor and you need to be that way and you need to learn and adjust,” he said, noting her confidence. She doesn’t shy away from challenging situations. More so she even ruffles some feathers with her assertive demeanor. “She definitely stands out with how she carries herself as a future champion,” Pam asserted.

Meanwhile, Qinwen reunited with coach Pere Riba and is supported by a strong team now, including her Canadian fitness trainer. As Pam Shriver noted, “She’s got a really good team around her and it’s kinda what you’re looking for.” And, the results are showing. Zheng just clinched her third title at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, defeating Sofia Kenin 7-6(5), 6-3 in a thrilling final.

Additionally, Zheng showcased her dominance with 16 aces and faced just one break point during the match. This victory not only added to her tally of titles from Palermo and the Paris Olympics but also secured her spot in the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh. With a stunning 47-16 record this year, Zheng is firmly establishing herself as a force in women’s tennis!

Qinwen is set to face her longtime rival at the WTA Finals 2024

Qinwen Zheng is set to face Aryna Sabalenka in the Purple Group at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The two have faced each other a total of four times in their careers. This year alone, they have met three times on court, with Sabalenka winning all encounters. Their matches include the 2023 US Open final, the 2024 Australian Open final, and most recently, the 2024 Wuhan Open final. So what are the odds that Zheng can get her revenge this time?

Zheng has had a breakout year in 2024. She’s bagged two singles titles and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics this year. Not to mention, she advanced to the Australian Open final and qualified for the Finals as the No. 7 seed. To say she’s riding high on confidence is an understatement.

In contrast, Sabalenka has pocketed two Grand Slam titles this year—at the Australian Open and the U.S. Open—making her quite a formidable opponent. The Purple Group also includes Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Jasmine Paolini of Italy. While Zheng has struggled against Rybakina, losing both matches so far, she boasts a perfect 3-0 record against Paolini.

The top two finishers from each group will advance to the semifinals on November 8. The winners will compete for the title on November 9. As Zheng prepares to take on Sabalenka once again, can she finally break through and claim her first victory against her rival? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!