Zheng credits fresh mindset for Tokyo success

TOKYO - China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen hailed her new-found consistency after capturing her third title of the year on Oct 27 by beating Sofia Kenin in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo.

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The world No. 7 defeated the American 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 to extend an impressive run of form in 2024.

The 22-year-old became the first Chinese player to win a Games singles tennis gold when she triumphed in Paris.

She also won in Palermo and finished runner-up in Wuhan and at the Australian Open.

Zheng struggled for consistency after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne at the start of 2024 and she said it had forced her to re-evaluate her mindset.

"When I made the final at the Australian Open, everybody said it was really good but after (that) I had ups and downs at the other tournaments," she said. "I started to repair myself and started thinking again what kind of mentality I need."

The top seed in Tokyo kept her cool to edge out a tight first set despite two rain delays, before pressing home her advantage to take the second comfortably.