If you thought Zheng Qinwen’s nail-biting first-round win over Bondar was thrilling, you haven’t seen anything yet. Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova took the art of escaping defeat to a whole new level at the Rome Masters, delivering one of the most jaw-dropping comebacks in recent memory.
Heading into her first-round match against Yastremska, few gave Zakharova much of a chance. She had lost both previous encounters against the Ukrainian, whose powerful flat shots were expected to overwhelm the Russian. After Yastremska took the first set 6-4 with aggressive returning, it seemed the match would end in straight sets.
But Zakharova had other plans. Down and seemingly out, she ramped up her baseline pressure and fought with everything she had to disrupt Yastremska’s rhythm. The Ukrainian’s unforced errors started piling up, and Zakharova seized the moment, taking the second set 7-5 in a gritty battle.
The real drama came in the deciding set. Yastremska raced to a 6-1 lead in the tiebreak and held five match points. Fans were already heading for the exits, expecting the contest to be over. Yet Zakharova refused to quit. She saved all five match points with incredible composure and completed a stunning comeback, winning the tiebreak and the match. The performance was hailed as “a masterpiece of resilience” and “the biggest heartbreak reversal of the Rome tournament so far.”
On the court next, Zheng Qinwen faces Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the second round. While many expect the Chinese No.2 to advance comfortably, fans have been warning her not to underestimate Bucsa. Two key threats stand out: Bucsa’s heavy topspin on both wings, which creates high-bouncing, awkward shots and limits attacking angles; and her incredible stamina—she once won ten matches in 31 hours at Merida this year. Fans advise Zheng to start strong and avoid a slow start like in her first round, or she could find herself in deep trouble again.
Zheng will take the court at 5 PM Beijing time. All eyes will be on whether she can handle the Spanish fighter’s relentless game and avoid an upset.