Chinese teen star Zheng Qinwen powers into her first WTA final in Tokyo

Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return against Russia's Veronika Kudermetova during their women's singles semi-final match of the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo on Saturday, September 24, 2022. - AFP

Tokyo, Sept 24, 2022 (AFP): Fast-rising Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen powered into her first career final on Saturday at the Pan Pacific Open after a battling 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) win over Veronika Kudermetova.

The 19-year-old Zheng, who knocked out top seed Paula Badosa earlier this week, will face Russia's Liudmila Samsonova in the Tokyo final after slugging her way past number four seed Kudermetova.