Many anticipated that Iga Swiatek winning a Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics was a certainty. With her competitors Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina withdrawing before the event, and Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff getting knocked out, her path to victory seemed increasingly clear. However, Swiatek was unexpectedly defeated by Qinwen Zheng 6-2 7-5 in the Roland-Garros semifinals. Although Swiatek was not at her best, Zheng also played an exceptionally smart match. This article explores three strategies Zheng employed that the world No. 1 couldn’t counter.
**How Qinwen Zheng Outperformed Iga Swiatek**
1. **Zheng Altered the Pace of Her Shots**
There was considerable talk before the match about Zheng needing to play aggressively to compete with Swiatek. Many players, especially on clay, make the mistake of panicking and committing unforced errors against Swiatek. Zheng did deliver some powerful shots and excellent serves during her win, taking advantage of key moments on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Instead of attempting unrealistic winners, which could have resulted in errors or provided Swiatek with extra pace to attack, Zheng used heavy topspin shots, particularly with her forehand. By not delivering the same ball repeatedly during rallies, Zheng prevented Swiatek from finding a rhythm, causing her to make 36 unforced errors compared to Zheng’s 13.
2. **Zheng Focused on Swiatek’s Forehand**
Swiatek’s forehand on clay is notoriously powerful, leading many opponents to target her backhand instead. However, Zheng capitalized on Swiatek’s tendency to be less consistent with her forehand, especially when under pressure. By consistently directing shots to Swiatek’s forehand, Zheng caused numerous issues for the world No. 1.
Although Swiatek’s backhand was also off during the match, her forehand errors were particularly problematic. Zheng’s strategy of targeting Swiatek’s perceived strength from the outset played a key role in her victory.
3. **Zheng Utilized Drop Shots Effectively**
Swiatek is known to struggle with drop shots, despite her exceptional athleticism. Zheng used drop shots strategically, avoiding overuse and making it harder for Swiatek to anticipate. Zheng waited until she had pushed Swiatek deep behind the baseline before deploying the drop shot, and even when Swiatek managed to reach them, she struggled to execute her next shot effectively. This approach led to errors from Swiatek or gave Zheng easy opportunities to win points, demonstrating that Zheng’s success in reaching the Paris Olympics final wasn’t solely due to raw power.
**Main Photo Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports**
*Jordan Reynolds*
Jordan Reynolds is a dedicated tennis enthusiast with a particular interest in the women’s game and the WTA Tour. He’s also a huge Spider-Man fan and a long-suffering supporter of Everton Football Club.
