Sawt Falasteen - Zheng into US Open quarter-final after record 2:15 a.m. finish

Seventh-seed Zheng won 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 6-2 against her 24th-ranked Croatian opponent who she also defeated in the Paris Olympics final four weeks ago.

The early morning finish beat the old record of 2:13 a.m. from 2021 when Maria Sakkari defeated Bianca Andreescu in a last-16 tie.

"I like to play in the night session. Here in New York it's my first time," said Zheng in front of a few hundred spectators in the 24,000-capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"It's two in the morning, it's incredible. Thanks to the fans who have stayed to support me."

The powerful 21-year-old Zheng is only the second Chinese woman to appear in two quarter-finals in New York after Li Na in 2009 and 2013.

Zheng will next face world number two Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated her in the last-eight in 2023 as well as in the final of the Australian Open in January.

Zheng edged a tight first set against Vekic where she didn't face a single break point before the experienced Croatian levelled the last-16 clash.

However, Zheng finished the stronger and claimed her place in the next round.

I.Saadi--SF-PST