'You're talking rubbish': Zheng into Wimbledon final, Poljicak awaits
After booking his place in the Wimbledon boys’ final, Michael Zheng of the United States admitted that competing for the title barely flickered on his radar when he pitched up at the Junior Championships.
The 18-year-old was at his brilliant best to dispatch Martin Landaluce, holding his nerve in a final-set tiebreak to prevail 6-3 3-6 7-6(7) and, after 15 successive wins, inflict upon the Spaniard the first grass-court loss of his career. Despite defeat, Landaluce has wowed this week.
Zheng will now draw swords with Croatia’s Mili Poljicak in Sunday’s boys’ final and has the chance to ensure back-to-back American champions at Wimbledon following Samir Banerjee’s triumph 12 months ago.
The potential for American domination here also remains after Liv Hovde reached the girls’ final. Should both Zheng and Hovde triumph, it will be the first time there have been American boys’ and girls’ champions at the same Grand Slam since the 1992 US Open.
Zheng also has the chance to join an illustrious list of recent Junior Grand Slam champions from the United States, which includes Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Sebastian Korda, Tommy Paul, Reilly Opelka and Taylor Fritz. Opportunity certainly knocks.
“If someone had said a week ago that I’d be in the Wimbledon final I would have thought, ‘you’re talking a load of rubbish’,” Zheng told itftennis.com. “It’s incredible and I definitely wasn’t expecting it. I thought maybe I would go a couple of rounds, but this is amazing.
“I don’t have much experience from other Grand Slams in terms of going deep but it is a great feeling to get to the final, especially after one of the best matches I have played in my career.
“I brought my A-game. Martin played really well and it is definitely one of the highest-quality matches in my young career so far. He is still two years younger than me and is going to be unbelievable. The guy is one of the best juniors in the world, for sure.
“But now it’s all about the final. They only have the winners’ names here so it would be amazing to have my name here. If some kids come here in the years ahead and see that Michael Zheng won in 2022, that would be brilliant.”
Polijcak, meanwhile, confirmed his place in the final by overpowering Pedro Rodenas of Spain 7-5 6-2. Should Polijcak triumph in Sunday’s boys’ final, he would become the first Croatian to top the podium at the Junior Championships, while he is only the third to reach the final – and first since Mario Ancic in 2000.
The 17-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals here 12 months ago, understands the historical context of his progression through the boys’ draw, and appreciates the hand of history that currently rests upon his shoulder.
“Reaching the final is an unbelievable feeling,” Poljicak told itftennis.com. “Every player dreams of playing at Grand Slams and winning Grand Slams, and to be in with a chance of doing that means such much.
“Getting to the final means a lot to everyone back home. It means so much to my friends, family, everyone who has supported me and everyone who follows Croatian tennis. This is a dream.”
Having been awake for the most of the night prior to his quarter-final clash with Switzerland’s Kilian Feldbausch with an upset stomach, Polijcak then retired from his doubles clash due to a hip complaint. He was able to report a cleaner bill of health today.
“I felt good,” said Poljicak, who lost his only previous showdown with Zheng at the Roland Garros Junior Championships last month.
“I felt like nothing happened the days before. Before my quarter-final, I only slept for about three hours and I was throwing up during the night. Yesterday in doubles I also had some hips problems, which I why I retired.
“I went to the physio for some treatment and put some ice on the hip and it helped a lot. I slept for 10 hours last night and I was ready to play Pedro, who is a guy I have known since we were like 10 years old.
“I knew his forehand is weaker on grass, so I tried to play fast on his forehand and take advantage from the beginning. I started well, broke early and I think he was a little scared. In the end it was a great result and reaching the final is fantastic.”