Zheng Qinwen Stuns Madison Keys With Dramatic US Open Comeback

Zheng Qinwen produced a stunning comeback at the 2026 US Open, winning the final seven games to defeat No. 22 seed Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 and reach the fourth round.

The Olympic gold medallist appeared destined for defeat after falling 5-0 behind in the deciding set. Keys held a match point while serving at 5-1, but Zheng saved it and gradually turned the contest around. “I just kept telling myself to hold every single point, never give up, stay there and somehow, little by little, it just happened,” Zheng said.

Keys, the 2017 US Open runner-up and 2025 Australian Open champion, had survived five match points in her previous round but could not hold on against Zheng. As the momentum shifted, Keys became increasingly frustrated, even hitting her racket against her head. “I think she started playing better; I started playing poorly,” Keys said. “Then I felt like I couldn't play tennis anymore.”

Zheng's victory is particularly significant following her difficult return to the tour. After elbow surgery, she has dropped to No. 121 in the rankings and had to come through qualifying to enter the main draw. She will next face 2022 US Open champion Iga Swiatek.

Later, 13th-seeded Naomi Osaka joined Zheng in the fourth round after defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Osaka recovered from a 4-2 deficit in the third set and admitted she was surprised by the result. “Honestly, I can't believe I won this match. I'm literally shocked that I won this match,” she said.

No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz suffered a major upset after surrendering a two-set lead against No. 24 Francisco Cerundolo. The Argentine completed the comeback 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Fritz had dropped only 11 games across his opening two matches before the unexpected collapse.

On the women's side, No. 10 Amanda Anisimova was eliminated by No. 24 Anastasia Potapova, who won 6-2, 7-5. Anisimova converted only three of 16 break-point opportunities, while Potapova took six of eight. Potapova will next meet No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva, the French Open champion.

Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Cristina Bucsa. She will face 18-year-old Iva Jovic in an all-American fourth-round clash. Jovic defeated Philippines' Alex Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a match lasting more than three hours.

In the men's draw, top seed Alexander Zverev beat No. 25 Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-2. After spending nearly 9½ hours on court in his first two five-set matches, Zverev produced a much more comfortable performance to move into the fourth round. No. 5 seed Flavio Cobolli, meanwhile, was beaten in four sets by No. 28 Alexander Blockx, leaving six of the men's top 10 seeds out of the tournament.