Zheng Qinwen makes big US Open comeback. Naomi Osaka joins her in the fourth round

Zheng Qinwen has achieved a significant comeback at the 2026 US Open, successfully advancing to the tournament's fourth round. According to reporting from the Anchorage Daily News, Zheng is not alone in this stage of the competition, as Naomi Osaka has also joined her in the fourth round. The Olympic champion's path to this stage was unconventional, as coverage from olympics.com highlights that she navigated a rare qualifying run. This progression marks a return to form for the athlete after a period of struggle, leading to her current standing in the New York-based tournament. Various media outlets are focusing on the psychological and physical journey Zheng has undertaken during this event. Reuters reports that the Chinese athlete has rediscovered her competitive spark throughout the competition.

Meanwhile, olympics.com emphasizes that Zheng has been reignited by belief, suggesting a mental shift contributed to her success. A more dramatic narrative is presented by Defector, which describes Zheng's experience at the U.S. Open as surviving a near death experience, though the specific nature of this event is not further detailed in the provided headlines. To understand the significance of this trend, it is necessary to note Zheng's status as an Olympic champion. Her participation in a qualifying run was noted as rare for a player of her caliber, indicating a dip in ranking or status prior to the 2026 US Open. The narrative across the coverage suggests a trajectory of decline followed by a sudden rediscovery of competitive drive.

The presence of another high-profile athlete like Naomi Osaka in the same round adds to the stakes of the tournament as several former and current champions remain in contention. Observers will now focus on the upcoming fourth-round matches to see if Zheng Qinwen can maintain this momentum. The coverage indicates that both Zheng and Osaka are now positioned for the deeper stages of the tournament. Future developments will likely center on whether Zheng's rediscovered spark and belief can carry her toward the title. The sports community is watching to see if the momentum from her qualifying run continues through the final brackets of the US Open.