Zheng Qinwen Rallies Past Keys 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 in Stunning US Open Upset

Zheng Qinwen won the final seven games to eliminate No. 22 Madison Keys while Anastasia Potapova ousted No. 10 seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-5.

Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen secured a spot in the US Open fourth round on Saturday by defeating No. 22 seed Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5. The match concluded with Zheng winning seven consecutive games after trailing 5-0 in the final set. Simultaneously, No. 24 Anastasia Potapova eliminated No. 10 seed Amanda Anisimova with a 6-2, 7-5 victory, marking a significant pair of upsets at Flushing Meadows.

Keys, the 2017 runner-up, held a match point while serving at 5-1 in the third set but failed to convert the opportunity. Following the missed chance, Zheng initiated a comeback that saw the American player bang her racket against her head and remove her visor in frustration. Zheng, currently ranked No. 121 following elbow surgery, entered the main draw through the qualifying rounds despite having reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 previously.

Zheng Overcomes Massive Third-Set Deficit

The turnaround followed a second-set tiebreaker win for Zheng, which was immediately countered by Keys charging to a five-game lead in the decider. Zheng described her mindset during the rally, stating she told herself to hold every single point and never give up. This victory continues a career trajectory that included a gold medal for China at the 2024 Olympics and an appearance in the Australian Open final that same year.

Keys entered the Saturday match following a previous round where she saved five match points to win in a match tiebreaker. However, the 29-year-old could not replicate that resilience after Zheng held serve at 5-1 to begin her seven-game scoring streak. The loss ends the run for Keys, who has previously finished as a runner-up in New York.

Potapova Efficiency Ousts No. 10 Seed Anisimova

Anastasia Potapova reached the fourth round, matching her career-best performance in a Grand Slam tournament, by converting 6 of 8 break-point opportunities. The 25-year-old, who was born in Russia and now represents Austria, maintained high efficiency compared to her opponent. Amanda Anisimova struggled with missed chances, converting only 3 of 16 break-point opportunities, a success rate of just 19%.

Anisimova’s exit follows a season where she reached the Australian Open quarterfinals but has now been eliminated in the third round of the last three majors. The American had reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2025, where she lost the Flushing Meadows title match to Aryna Sabalenka.

Qualifying Success and Statistical Disparities

Zheng Qinwen’s progression to the second week highlights her recovery from medical setbacks, as she noted that her hard work is paying off after falling outside the top 100. Her ability to stay in the match allowed her to capitalize on the collapse of Keys, who had appeared dominant in the opening set with a 6-1 scoreline.

The statistical gap in the Potapova-Anisimova match defined the result, as the No. 10 seed could not capitalize on her 13 unconverted break points. Potapova’s victory ensures that two high-profile seeds were removed from the draw on the same afternoon in New York. The tournament continues with Zheng and Potapova advancing to the round of 16 following these results recorded at 02:18 PM ET on September 5, 2026.