Incredible comeback against the ‘escape master’ sends Chinese star into US Open last 16

Madison Keys had seemed to have the victory in her hands. The American led Zheng Qinwen 5-0 in the deciding set, but the Olympic champion responded by winning seven consecutive games and producing a rare comeback at the US Open.

Keys, seeded 22nd, had earned the nickname “escape master” after saving five match points against Italy’s Anna Bondar in the second round. Against Zheng, however, she let another apparent victory slip away.

Keys took the opening set 6-1. Zheng fought back to win the second 7-6, setting up a decisive final set. With Keys leading 5-0, the match appeared close to finished, but Zheng changed its course with a run of seven straight games. She won the set 7-5 and secured a place in the last 16.

Zheng will next meet Poland’s Iga Swiatek. Speaking to Reuters after the match, Zheng said: “It was a dramatic match for me, but both of us showed very impressive form. In the end, luck smiled on me.”

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It was a dramatic match for me, but both of us showed very impressive form. In the end, luck smiled on me.