Zheng Qinwen defeats Keys after 5-0 deficit

Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen staged a remarkable comeback to defeat American Madison Keys in the third round of the US Open on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Zheng, who was trailing 5-0 in the deciding third set and faced a match point, won seven consecutive games to secure a 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 victory. The win advanced the 23-year-old Olympic champion to the fourth round, where she will face either Iga Swiatek or Marie Bouzkova on Monday, September 7. The match, played on the Grandstand court, saw Keys, the 22nd seed and 2025 Australian Open champion, dominate early. Keys won the first set in just 23 minutes. After Zheng leveled the match by taking the second set in a tiebreak, Keys surged to a 5-0 lead in the third set and held a match point while serving at 5-1. However, Zheng held firm, and Keys' game unraveled as she committed a series of unforced errors. Keys was seen hitting her racket against her head in frustration during the collapse. Zheng, who had to come through qualifying to reach the main draw, threw herself to the court in relief after converting match point. "Finally, a bit of luck is on my side," she said in her on-court interview.