Zheng Qinwen's stirring run at the 2026 US Open ended in the women's singles quarterfinals, as the Chinese qualifier was beaten in a comeback by second seed Elena Rybakina, who will ascend to world No.1 next week on the strength of her result.

A campaign to remember

Zheng arrived at Flushing Meadows as a qualifier and turned her campaign into one of the tournament's defining storylines. She battled through the qualifying draw to reach the main event, then reeled off a series of impressive wins — including back-to-back escapes from 0-5 deficits against Madison Keys and former world No.1 Iga Swiatek — to reach the last eight for the third time in her career.

Her run showcased the resilience that has become her trademark: the ability to claw back from the brink of defeat and deliver in the biggest moments. Against Swiatek in the fourth round, she again produced a 'five down, seven straight' miracle that stunned the tennis world.

The quarterfinal

Against Rybakina, however, the fairytale finally met its match. The Kazakh, one of the most powerful servers and hitters on tour, staged her own turnaround to deny Zheng a place in the semifinals. The defeat ended Zheng's hopes of a deeper breakthrough at the season's final Grand Slam, though her performance nonetheless cemented her standing among the game's most dangerous players.

Rybakina to be world No.1

Rybakina's victory carries wider significance: the win will see her rise to world No.1 next week, capping a standout season at the top of the women's game.

For Zheng, the tournament remains a major step forward. Coming from the qualifying draw to the quarterfinals, defeating top-tier opposition and repeatedly demonstrating her mental strength under pressure, she leaves New York with momentum, ranking points and credibility — and a growing fan base eager to see what comes next.