I wish I could be a man so I wouldn't have to deal with this: As stomach cramps end Zheng's first French Open.

Zheng Qinwen of China said terrible stomach cramps destroyed her chances of winning the French Open on Monday against world number one Iga Swiatek and made her wish I was a man.

Zheng, who is only 19 years old and is competing in her maiden Roland Garros, captured the first set against the top seed before losing 6-7 (5/7), 6-0, 6-2 in their last-16 match.

Early in the second set, the world number 74 needed a medical stoppage to strap her injured right leg, but she claimed that was the least of her worries.

It's just lady stuff, Zheng added, referring to her menstrual discomfort.

The first day is usually so difficult, and then I have to do sport, and the first day is always so painful.

I couldn't defy my instincts. I wish I could be a man so I wouldn't have to go through this. It's a challenge.

Zheng saved five set points, had two of her own, and then battled her way back from 2/5 down in the tiebreak to stun the top seed in an 82-minute first set.

Swiatek had not dropped a set since April 23, when she was stretched by Liudmila Samsonova in the Stuttgart semi-finals.

Zheng needed a medical timeout at 0-3 in the second set due to a leg ailment, putting his Roland Garros title run in jeopardy.

Zheng, who had advanced to the fourth round by defeating 2018 champion Simona Halep, returned with her right thigh severely wrapped and dropped the second set fast.

Swiatek won the finale with a double break against a tired opponent who had 46 unforced errors due to her physical troubles.

The leg made it difficult, Zheng remarked. However, compared to the stomach, that was simple. I'm unable to play tennis since my stomach is in excruciating discomfort.

It's difficult for me to give my all on the court.

Swiatek increased her winning streak to 32 matches, tying Justine Henin's 14-year-old record for the best winning streak in the century.

Zheng played incredible tennis, Swiatek stated after reaching the quarterfinals for the third year in a row.

I was taken aback by some of her shots; her top spin was incredible. Congratulations to her. I am proud to be still in the tournament, says the player after a disappointing first set in which he had the lead.

Swiatek will play Jessica Pegula, the 11th seed from the United States, in the semi-finals.