Zheng uses Doha exit as marker of progress

A fighting Zheng Qinwen says she knows where she needs to improve after China's No 1 ended her highly-anticipated return to elite competition with defeat to Elena Rybakina at the WTA 1000 Qatar Total Energies Open in Doha on Wednesday.

After nearly two hours of high-quality tennis in the third-round game, Zheng bowed out 6-4, 2-6, 5-7 to the new Australian Open champion.

China's Zheng Qinwen reacts during her round of 16 match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina at the Qatar Open WTA 1000 in Doha, Qatar. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zheng, the 2024 Paris Olympic champion, was pushed to three sets in all three of her comeback matches in Doha, firing an incredible 35 aces across the three contests and producing brilliant shot-making under intense pressure.

"I think Queen [Zheng] started the match better than me and she played really well [in] some moments, [with] incredible shots and serve balls," said Rybakina after the match.

Wednesday's match was Zheng's first appearance against a top-three opponent since returning from a long-term elbow injury that had kept her off the court for more than four months.

"When you see how much time has passed, it starts to get difficult because you're used to training but now you're not getting feedback," said Zheng.

"When you play a tournament, at least you get feedback from winning or losing, you know where you need to improve. You don't get feedback from continuing to train."

Though she was unable to advance, the Chinese star delivered encouraging signs throughout the week, having already claimed impressive comeback victories over Sofia Kenin (4-6, 6-1, 6-2) and Alycia Parks (7-6(4), 3-6, 6-1) to reach the third-round stage in Doha.

Zheng now has her sights set on further progress over the course of the 2026 season: "I want to keep healthy in my body, 'cause if I'm healthy I could fight there every single match, that's the most important.

"But of course, [I'm] hoping for something more, I wish I can break through all my past results.

"I know it's gonna be difficult for me, but I will try to make it and [it] doesn't matter what happens."