September 19, 2024
In an exciting turn of events, Qinwen Zheng of China has become the first Asian-born player to win an Olympic gold medal in the Women’s or Men’s Singles competition. Zheng’s victory marks a historic moment in tennis, as no Asian-born player has achieved this feat since the Olympics were reinstated in Athens in 1896.
Zheng Qinwen of China defeated Croatian Donna Vekic to emerge champion and gold medallist in women’s singles at the 2024 Paris Games.
The world No. 6 seed Zheng defeated world No. 13 seed Donna Vekic via a two straight set of 6-2 and 6-3 on the Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros in Saturday’s gold medal match.
Zheng who was a finalist at this year’s Australian Open, took 1 hour and 45 minutes to get past Vekic.
The gold medal is China’s first Olympic medal of any color in women’s singles, and the country’s second Olympic gold medal in tennis overall. China’s Li Ting and Sun Tiantian won the Olympic gold medal in women’s doubles at the 2004 Athens Games.
Vekic earned the silver medal for her excellent efforts, including a win over World No.2 Coco Gauff in the Round of 16 and saving match points against Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals. Vekic collects the first Olympic medal in women’s singles for a player representing Croatia.
Swiatek of Poland joined Zheng and Vekic on the medal podium after clinching the bronze medal over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia on Friday.
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