Paris 2024: Quinwen Zheng edges Donna Vekic to deliver China's first Olympics gold in Singles

Paris Olympics, 

Saturday, 3 August, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

China's 6th seed Zheng Qinwen defeated Croatia's 13th seed Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3, in the women’s singles Olympic gold medal finals at Court Philippe Chatrier on Saturday. 

Serving for the match at 5-3 at the second set, Zheng reached match points as Vekic drove a backhand wide and finished it off with a well-placed forehand winner before falling to her back with joy.

Zheng who prevailed through 1st seed Iga Swiatek on Thursday's Semi Finals has now delivered China it's first Olympics Singles gold medal since sport returned to the Games in 1988.

Vekic earned the silver medal for her excellent efforts, including a win over World No.2 Coco Gauff in the Round of 16 and saving match point against Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals. Vekic collects the first Olympic medal in women's singles for a player representing Croatia.

Swiatek of Poland will join Zheng and Vekic on the medal podium after clinching the bronze medal over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia on Friday.