Iga Swiatek knew she was capable, or at least should be, of winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics . She's ranked No. 1, after all. Owns five Grand Slam titles, including four on the red clay courts at Roland Garros , which hosts the French Open and is being used for Summer Games matches.
Her semifinal opponent, Zheng Qinwen, says she knew she was capable of beating Swiatek. Just never had done it. Was 0-6 head-to-head before Thursday. So, really, she was only hoping she could do it. And, most of all, hoping she could secure the first singles medal for China in tennis since the sport returned to the Olympics in 1988.
Zheng managed to make it happen, eliminating Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 and earning the right to play for gold on Saturday, then falling on her back and caking her red-and-yellow uniform with the rust-colored clay .
"It really does mean everything. I always knew I could do it. But it's different if you know you can - and you show it. And today, I really showed it," said the 21-year-old Zheng , whose best career result was reaching the final of the Australian Open in January before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.
"I'm so proud of myself," she added. "I'm so proud for my country."
