Redmond’s Kristina Liutova, 16, wins first set but falls in tears to Olympic gold medalist at US Open

Kristina Liutova of Redmond, 16, won the first set against 2024 Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen but couldn’t hold off the veteran, falling in the first round of the US Open on Monday, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Liutova left the court in tears after her nine-match winning streak came to an end.

‘Don’t worry about that, Kristina’

ESPN match commentator Robbie Koenig offered words of encouragement for Liutova.

“I’ll tell you what, there will be a lot more tears of joy in the years to come,” Koenig said. “That’s for sure, given the game that she possesses. Don’t worry about that, Kristina.”

First player born in the 2010s to reach a Grand Slam main draw

Liutova had to fight her way through three qualifying matches to earn a spot in the main draw.

“[She’s] just so accurate with her ball striking,” Koenig said of Liutova early in Monday’s match. “I’m gobsmacked that she’s just 16 years of age.”

Liutova is the first player born in the 2010s to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament and was the youngest person in the draw. In early August, she became the first person born in that decade to win a WTA title with her victory at the Memphis Classic.

“Honestly, I never look at the stats,” Liutova told KIRO Newsradio before the US Open. “When I get told, I forget immediately.”

Zheng calls Liutova’s tennis ‘incredible’

Zheng acknowledged the teenager in her post-match interview on ESPN.

“I want to say congratulations first to the opponent because she’s only 16 years old,” Zheng said. “Very young junior, and she played incredible tennis. Fights a lot. It was not easy for me.”

Two comeback stories collide at the US Open

Zheng, like Liutova, had to play the qualifying rounds of the US Open this year. But in 2023 and 2024, she made the US Open quarterfinals.

In 2024, she reached the Australian Open final and the French Open quarterfinals in 2025. But in the summer of 2025, Zheng underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery.

As she recovered from surgery, her ranking fell. But like Liutova, her ranking is now on the rise.

Liutova takes home $140,000 — and dreams of taking care of mom

Liutova will take home $140,000 in prize money for qualifying for the first round at the US Open.

While training in Redmond earlier this month, Liutova told KIRO Newsradio she wants to take care of her mom.

“I want to make sure that she’s happy, and in the future she has an easy life — a house, a cat — and just watch my matches with no worries and no pressure,” Liutova said. “My goals and dreams are hers; hers are mine.”

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

Follow @FrankLenziKIRO