Zheng Qinwen rallies from set down to beat Sakkari at Nottingham Open
Synopsis
Ranked around No. 160 after nearly eight months out injured, Zheng Qinwen came back from a set down to eliminate sixth-seed Maria Sakkari at the Nottingham Open — her first grass-court win of 2025 and a telling sign that her comeback is gaining real traction ahead of Wimbledon.
Key Takeaways
Zheng Qinwen defeated Maria Sakkari 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 at the WTA 250 Nottingham Open on 15 June .
The win is Zheng's first on grass in the 2025 season, coming after a first-round exit at the French Open .
Zheng missed nearly eight months last year due to injury and surgery, dropping to around No.
160 in the world rankings.
She won the second-set tiebreak 7-1 to turn the match around after losing the opening set.
Zheng next faces the winner between Talia Gibson (Australia) and Francesca Jones (Britain).
Zheng Qinwen produced a gutsy comeback to defeat sixth-seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 at the WTA 250 Nottingham Open on Monday, 15 June, securing her first grass-court win of the 2025 season. The Chinese contender, ranked around No. 160 in the world after an injury-interrupted spell, reversed a first-set deficit to advance in three hard-fought sets at Nottingham.
How the Match Unfolded
Sakkari took the opening set 6-4, establishing early control on a surface that has historically tested Zheng. The second set went to a tiebreak, where Zheng was dominant, winning it 7-1 to level the contest. She carried that momentum into the decider, eventually closing out the match 6-4 to complete a hard-earned victory.
'It was a really difficult match,' Zheng said after the contest. 'We both played at a high level, and the score was close throughout. I'm happy to win those important points because I wasn't able to do that in the last tournament, and I managed to do it today.'
Comeback from Eight Months Out
The result carries added significance given the difficult road Zheng has travelled over the past two seasons. She has battled injuries and underwent surgery, missing nearly eight months of competition last year. The 23-year-old, who is based in Barcelona, Spain, admitted that the pressure of returning weighed heavily on her early in her comeback.
'I missed almost eight months last year,' she said. 'I had a lot of pressure at the beginning when I started trying to come back. I wanted to do more and do better, but somehow I wasn't able to deal with that pressure. Right now, I tell myself, "OK, I'm around No. 160 in the world. How could it get any worse?" Let's just keep fighting as I did at the beginning, when I had nothing.'
A First-Round Exit in Paris Adds Context
The Nottingham win arrives just days after a first-round exit at the French Open earlier this month — a result that underscored the inconsistency Zheng has faced since returning from injury. Grass courts present their own challenges, and Zheng acknowledged that the surface does not come naturally to her. Notably, this victory suggests she is beginning to find her footing ahead of the Wimbledon fortnight.
What's Next for Zheng
Zheng will face the winner of the match between Australia's Talia Gibson and Britain's Francesca Jones in the next round. The right-handed player with a two-handed backhand said she intends to take the grass-court season one match at a time. 'On grass, anything can happen, and it's not an easy surface for me,' she said. 'I just hope I can enjoy tennis more and enjoy every competition because I really love playing here. Let's see how I do in the next match.'
Point of View
Now rebuilding from No. 160, beating a seeded opponent in three sets on an unfamiliar surface speaks to mental resilience as much as physical recovery. The real question is whether she can sustain this across a fortnight at Wimbledon, where the draw will get considerably harder. Her candour about ranking pressure — 'how could it get any worse?' — is the kind of grounded perspective that often precedes a genuine resurgence.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Zheng Qinwen vs Maria Sakkari at the Nottingham Open?
Zheng Qinwen defeated Maria Sakkari 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the WTA 250 Nottingham Open on 15 June 2025. Zheng came back from a set down to claim her first grass-court win of the season.
Why is Zheng Qinwen ranked so low currently?
Zheng Qinwen missed nearly eight months of competition last year due to injury and surgery, which caused her ranking to drop to around No. 160 in the world. She has been working her way back to form since returning to the tour.
Who does Zheng Qinwen play next at the Nottingham Open?
Zheng will face the winner of the match between Australia's Talia Gibson and Britain's Francesca Jones in the next round of the Nottingham Open.
How significant is this win for Zheng Qinwen's grass-court season?
It is her first grass-court victory of the 2025 season and comes just after a first-round exit at the French Open. The win is seen as a confidence boost ahead of Wimbledon, a tournament where grass-court form is critical.
What did Zheng Qinwen say after beating Sakkari?
Zheng said the match was 'really difficult' and that both players performed at a high level throughout. She credited her ability to win important points under pressure, something she said she had struggled with in her previous tournament.
