Sabalenka's Italian Open Run Ends with Loss to Zheng

Zheng Qinwen defeats Aryna Sabalenka in Italian Open quarterfinals, advances to semifinals against Coco Gauff.

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka's Italian Open campaign came to an end in the quarterfinals, where she was defeated by Chinese eighth-seed Zheng Qinwen.

Sabalenka, the Madrid Open winner, struggled to maintain her form on clay and lost in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to Olympic gold medalist Zheng.

Zheng Qinwen finally emerged victorious against Aryna Sabalenka, winning with a confident display under the lights in Rome.

After surviving early pressure on her own serve, Zheng broke Sabalenka to take a 3-2 lead in the first set, before going on to serve it out. In the second set, Zheng pounced on Sabalenka's first service game, breaking her to go up a break and setting herself up for a strong chance of victory.

Different surface, different result 😏

Qinwen Zheng earns her first win over Sabalenka in seven meetings!#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/dupQbjT3pw

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 14, 2025

Sabalenka showed determination to make gritty holds in the fifth and seventh games of the set, but she could not make inroads on Zheng's service as the 22-year-old powered into the semis.

“It's been a long time that I haven't arrived in semi-finals,” Zheng told Sky Sports after securing her first semi-final appearance of the season.

“It was not easy for me because at the beginning of the year, I had some struggles with my arm.

”So right now I'm just perfectly in shape and trying to play better tennis all the time.”

Sabalenka showed determination, making gritty holds in the fifth and seventh games of the set, but she couldn't break Zheng's serve.

Zheng, 22, powered into the semis with a straight-sets win. ”It's been a long time that I haven't arrived in semi-finals,” Zheng said. “It was not easy for me because at the beginning of the year, I had some struggles with my arm. So right now I'm just perfectly in shape and trying to play better tennis all the time.”

She's certified gold 😉

Zheng Qinwen never let up, delivering a masterclass performance as she powered past Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3!#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/EgCcY6mHV0

— wta (@WTA) May 14, 2025

Zheng will meet Coco Gauff in the last four after the American earlier beat Mirra Andreeva 6-4, 7-6(5).

Gauff has guaranteed herself number two in the women's world rankings with her solid displays in Rome, where she saw off seventh seed Andreeva.

Former US Open winner Gauff said that she had “a lot of confidence” for the last four, where she will face an opponent against whom she holds a 2-0 record.

Gauff, 21, is looking for her first title of the season ahead of Roland Garros, after losing the Madrid final to Sabalenka.

Zheng will face Coco Gauff in the semifinals after the American beat Mirra Andreeva 6-4, 7-6(5).

Gauff has secured the number two ranking and expressed confidence ahead of the semifinal, holding a 2-0 record against Zheng. The 21-year-old is seeking her first title of the season ahead of the French Open. Gauff said, “I have a lot of confidence.” She lost to Sabalenka in the Madrid final.