Zheng Qinwen confirms her comeback debut in Doha against Kenin, while Wu Yibing and Kokkinakis showcase top ten world-level performances

Today, the WTA1000 Doha Tennis Open draw was announced, and among the players, China’s leading star Zheng Qinwen stood out. Following elbow surgery after last year’s Wimbledon, her recovery took over seven months. During this time, she participated only in last year’s China Open but eventually withdrew due to injury in the second round. Hence, this tournament marks her official return after many months, drawing significant attention from the public.

According to various sources, Zheng Qinwen’s injury recovery is progressing well. Under a scientifically cautious rehabilitation plan by her team, she has undergone systematic training for some time, gradually restoring her physical condition to competitive standards. Choosing Doha as her comeback event reflects both the tournament’s level and preparation for a busier spring season ahead.

Looking at the draw for this event, Zheng Qinwen’s first-round opponent is the American star and former Australian Open champion Kenin. The two have met only once before, in the 2024 Tokyo final, where Zheng won 7-6(5), 6-3 to claim the title.

It is worth noting that although Kenin has had a brilliant past record and is currently ranked 28th in the world, her form this season has been poor, with a 1-4 win-loss record and a four-match losing streak in singles. Therefore, this represents a favorable draw for Zheng, who is eager to win matches and regain confidence after her injury recovery.

Since arriving in Doha, Zheng Qinwen’s adaptive training shows her serve and baseline shots have regained strength, but the focus remains on finding match rhythm and touch. This clash with Kenin is more about overcoming the psychological shadow of injury and adjusting to the competitive environment for her.

After the draw was announced, tennis fans quickly started discussing on social media. Some said, “A replay of the Tokyo final! We have the mental edge, but Kenin is still a Grand Slam champion, so we must not underestimate her.” Others commented, “Glad to see Qinwen back, health comes first, results will follow.” Some fans looked ahead, saying, “Once she gets past Kenin, the second round against Schneider or a qualifier looks promising. Hoping the draw favors her to go further!”

However, whether Zheng Qinwen can complete the Doha event in good health is a topic of greater concern than her results.

Tennis commentators note that for players returning from injury, the first tournament is rarely about winning the title; completing matches smoothly and avoiding re-injury is the priority. The fast hard courts in Doha demand good movement and physical endurance, directly testing Zheng’s recovery status.

It is reported that Zheng Qinwen’s team is well prepared and will adopt a conservative approach to avoid worsening her injury like at the China Open. They will also adjust her workload based on her physical feedback during matches. The team clearly states that how far she advances is not the goal; maintaining her health is paramount.

Turning attention to the Davis Cup, on February 6, the China vs. Portugal Davis Cup playoff started at the Nansha International Tennis Center in Guangzhou.

In the first match, China’s Bu Yunchaokete lost 4-6, 4-6 to Portugal’s Rosa. Under pressure in the second match, Wu Yibing faced Portugal’s top player and world No. 45 Borges. Wu quickly found his form, dominating the first set 6-1. The second set was tightly contested and went to a tiebreak, where Wu sealed the win 7-3, leveling the overall score at 1-1 for China.

After the match, Bu Yunchaokete’s comments at the press conference became a highlight. He openly stated that Wu Yibing’s performance against Borges “was at the level of a top ten player in the world.”

When the reporter relayed his teammate’s praise to Wu Yibing, he smiled and replied, “That’s fair!” He further explained, “I was under some pressure being behind in the score, but I felt our team’s unity and encouragement, so I played smoothly from the start. There were some minor fluctuations in the second set, but I managed to control the match overall, which made me quite happy.”

Wu Yibing also specifically mentioned the support from the home crowd, saying the cheers of “Go China!” gave him great encouragement and expressing his hope to represent the country at the Olympics in the future.

The Davis Cup results and Wu Yibing’s performance sparked enthusiastic discussions among netizens as well.

“If Wu keeps this form, a top ten ranking is truly within reach!” “His clutch mentality in crucial points shows the temperament of a top player,” fans praised Wu generously.

Regarding the match outlook, some fans analyzed, “A 1-1 score on day one is acceptable. Tomorrow’s doubles is our strength; the Zhang Zhizhen/Zhou Yi pair looks promising and must secure the win!”

According to the schedule, February 7 will be the decisive day. Matches start at noon with the doubles showdown: China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Zhou Yi versus Portugal’s Borges and Cabral. Then follows the first singles match between Bu Yunchaokete and Borges. Finally, if needed, the fifth and deciding match will feature Wu Yibing against Rosa.

Looking ahead, Wu Yibing said, “Based on the order of play, I should be the last to compete in the fifth match. Of course, I hope we can win the first two matches so that we secure a 3-1 victory. But I will be ready regardless.”

With an inspiring victory, Wu Yibing has kept China’s Davis Cup hopes alive. Tomorrow in Nansha, the young Chinese men’s tennis team will fight hard for a precious spot in the World Group I. Let’s stay tuned!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)