Zheng Qinwen has claimed a historic first Olympics singles gold for China after defeating Donna Vekic in the women’s final.
Zheng, the 21-year-old who burst into the elite with a run to the Australian Open final this year, defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6-2 6-3.
The 105-minute success was well-deserved, coming two days after her shock elimination of raging favourite Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros.
The Polish world No.1 was on a 25-match winning streak on the Parisian red clay, having claimed the past three French Open titles.
Zheng dismantled both Vekic and Swiatek, who regrouped to win bronze, with powerful serves and groundstrokes, aided by fanatical support.
Right before Zheng delivered the very first serve, loud shouts of “Jia You!” in Mandarin rang out from all sections of Philippe Chatrier on Saturday as fans waved red-and-yellow flags.
It’s a phrase that literally means “Add oil!” — in other words, “Hit the gas!” — and is loosely equivalent to “Let’s go!”
Those yells resumed right after Vekic put her return into the net and they were heard over and over again whenever things went Zheng’s way throughout the proceedings on a breezy, cloudy afternoon.
“It’s just unreal,” Zheng said after signing autographs.
“All my country will be proud of me. I will be proud of myself.”
The world No.7’s success could be a mighty breakthrough for the sport in the China, where tennis authorites have investing heavily in hope of inspiring more players and fans.
International Tennis Hall of Fame member Li Na is the only Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title — at the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open — and served as inspiration for Zheng when she was a kid learning the sport.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au