CHINA OPEN

October 1, 2026

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

ZHENG QINWEN/Han Shi

7-6, 4-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Into the second round. It was a tricky match. Can you tell us your keys to the match, how you were able to pull out the win.

ZHENG QINWEN: First of all, I think she play really good. Also I didn't start the match that well for me. Takes a bit more time to find my rhythm.

But overall I'm just happy to win the match. Like this I got another chance to play next time.

Q. Talking about your opponent, she came through qualifying, is ranked outside of the top 200. What aspects of her game made it difficult for you? How pleased were you getting it done in the last set?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I think she, yeah, like you say, she come from the quallies. She get some rhythm of the match. I mean, honestly before the match today I haven't serve for many, many days, so I have to find my serve during the match. So that was not easy for me. It's quite challenging.

But after when I arriving the third set, I start to see that I really getting better. I find out the strategy during the match. I'm just happy to be able to close because I think she's a good player, yeah.

Q. What was your strategy like in that third set? What was your mentality after losing the second set?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I think in the beginning I'm giving away too much return, free mistake. I'm going a bit too rush in the both first and second set.

I didn't change my rhythm like how I used to play, because I also trying wants to be more aggressive, so this cause more unusual mistake.

Then the third set when I'm almost on the limit, I talking to myself, like, I must first playing consistent, then trying to see if I got chance to step forward, to play more with the court, not only in the beginning going fast and fast.

Q. It's National Day today. Obviously the energy around the grounds and for your match, felt like even a little bit more than normal. How much did you notice that when you were out on court? Did it help you or did it even add more pressure to the amount of pressure you already feel?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I think today the support is quite equal, because both are Chinese player. I don't feel like the stadium's all for me. I also didn't feel the stadium is all for her.

I felt like the crowd, they really trying to support both sides, which I think is good. Both, we are Chinese. I am just happy all the people come to see us first day of Chinese holiday.

I mean, I wish to have a longer holiday, too, sometimes (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. There's a picture of you wearing a red outfit. Anything special on the National Day?

ZHENG QINWEN: I was picking the color. I told Nike I wanted a red dress because red is positive energy, it brings me energy and power.

At the time I wasn't thinking that I'll be wearing this dress on the National Day. It fit very well on this day.

Q. You played many three-setters this year, also in the US Open. Can you talk about the third set, how did you improve your game in the third set?

ZHENG QINWEN: When you talk about the three-setters, when I was 5-4 down in the second set, the two unforced errors were really painful. I wasn't really placing the shots very accurately. I made mistakes.

But in the third set, I could feel that I could read the game better. I have the mindset very clear. I wasn't too rushed. I was more patient, was willing to change up my speed and rhythm. I was moving forward and back. I was able to be more aggressive. That was the key to this match.

Energy-wise, I wasn't feeling full energy. I was getting a bit more energy back in the third set.

Q. When you were facing the critical moments, you were able to turn things around. When you were facing great pressure, what was your mentality? How do you do it?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think I need to be cautious, to read the match, observe my opponent to see what style she plays, so I have more targeted strategies.

I was pretty slow in this match. That is why I lost the second set. I lost some key points. I gave her too many free points.

I wish I could have played more aggressive in the first and second, instead of waiting till the third set.

Q. Qinwen, it was a Chinese derby today. The crowd was cheering for both of you. After the match, you were saying today it was both of your home court. Next round it will be your home court. Any suggestions to the crowd for the next round? Should they be more restrained or more supportive?

ZHENG QINWEN: As long as they like it, they enjoy the match, that's the most important thing. How do you change it? How do you adapt to the court? This is what the player should do.

The crowd, what they need to do is just enjoy the day.

Q. In previous press conferences you talked about you are confident that you can even go further than world No. 4. What are your targets in your training for the next step?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think I can adapt to this pressure that I face in matches every week, every two weeks. This is something I really need to adjust to coming back to the tour.

When I was world No. 4, every two, three weeks I had matches, so it was business as usual. My winning rate was about 60% to 70%. That is something I was used to. Now I'm trying to adjust step by step, trying to build up my strength mentality-wise to adjust to this speed.