Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen defeated Sofia Kenin 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, in the final to win the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Sunday, her third championship of the year.
Despite two rain delays, China’s Zheng, the top seed in the tournament, maintained her composure to win a close opening set before securing the second set with ease.
After being the first Chinese player to win an Olympic singles tennis gold in Paris, world number seven Zheng’s victory continued her stellar run of performance this year.
In addition, she placed second in Wuhan and the Australian Open and won in Palermo.
Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, was in doubt after retiring from her doubles semi-final on Saturday with a leg injury.
Despite wearing substantial strapping on her upper leg during the final, the American didn’t appear to be in any pain.
It was the first final of 2024 for world number 155 Kenin.
She wanted to put an end to a more than four-year drought of titles.
Rain twice stopped play in Tokyo, preventing either player from establishing a rhythm early in the game.
When the roof was finally closed, Zheng won the first set in a tiebreak by the smallest of margins.
Backed by a large contingent of Chinese fans, the 22-year-old took control of the second set early.
She hit a total of 16 aces in the match and closed it out when Kenin hit a return long.
