Zheng Qinwen’s storming run through qualifying to the US Open quarter-finals has the 2024 Olympic gold medallist finally feeling like a force on the court again.The Chinese star fell in three sets to Elena Rybakina on Wednesday, but her time in New York was a leap in the right direction for the former world No 4.After her lengthy recovery from elbow surgery last year was followed by a string indifferent results, Zheng’s ranking dropped so low that she had to come through three qualifying rounds to make the US Open main draw: tough on her ego but apparently positive for her game.“I think the good thing is I know how to compete better than at the beginning of the year,” Zheng said.“I was a bit out of tournament rhythm, and, obviously, this tournament helped me to find myself little by little.”Zheng’s run to the last eight included a remarkable third-round comeback victory over 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who held a 5-0 lead in the final set only for Zheng to win the last seven games for a 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 triumph.Zheng saved a match point in that contest, and in her next put together another seven-game run in the opening set as she stunned six-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3.