Wang Qiang Knocks Out No. 2 Seed Ashleigh Barty to Advance to US Open Quarterfinals for First Time
(September 1, 2019) FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – No. 18 seed Wang Qiang upset No. 2 seed Ashleigh Barty 6-2, 6-4 in 82 minutes on Sunday to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the first time. Playing in just her second week of a major for the first time Wang, also had her first win over a top 2 player with the victory. It was also her first win over Barty to whom she had lost on two previous occasions.
The 27-year-old has a chance to reach the Top 10 for the first time by the end of the tournament depending on how other players perform.
Key stats of the match for the Australian were that she was 0 for 9 on break point chances and hit 39 unforced errors. Wang broke Barty’s serve 3 times during the match.
“Q was very good, very solid,” Barty said in her news conference. “I felt like she was able to put the ball with great depth in difficult positions for me. I still was able to create opportunities. Just very frustrating that on the big points today, Q played a lot better.
“I think, I mean, I probably had, what, nine or 10 breakpoints, wasn’t able to even get one of them, which is really frustrating.”
“It’s a tough day at the office today. But it’s been a year where we’ve hit our goals. Obviously I would have loved to have kept going here in singles, but we’ve got an opportunity to do that in doubles.
“Knowing what it was like last year to be able to lift the trophy in doubles was really cool. To be able to have another opportunity to do that now, still being able to play in doubles, is a bonus.
“We’ve had a great season in Grand Slams for singles. We’ve made the second week every single one, which has been really special. Now we’ll sit back, reflect, and look forward to a big couple months to finish off the year.”
“I think I’m really focused on the court today, really enjoyed way I play,” said the winner. “I’m so happy I win.”
“I tried to play more patient today,” Wang said was the key to her win.
“I think I did really well today. I’m really mentally strong today.”
Wang is the first Chinese woman since Peng Shuai to reach the final eight who did it in 2014.
Next up for Wang will be the winner of the Serena Williams, Petra Martic match.
“I don’t know who I play next. I think my coach has to do some homework today. I need recover for my body and we will talk about the match tomorrow.”
Earlier this year she lost her coach Peter McNamara to cancer. Wang told media that he always believed in her that said that she could be a top player.
More to follow….
