Image source, Getty Images
Zheng’s win took two hours and 40 minutes on Rod Laver Arena
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Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 14-28 January |
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Coverage: Commentary every day from 07:00 GMT on Tennis Breakfast on Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the BBC Sport website and app |
China’s Zheng Qinwen edged out compatriot Wang Yafan to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
Zheng, who has climbed to 13th in the rankings after a run to the US Open quarter-finals in 2023, won on a third set tie-break 6-4 2-6 7-6 (10-8).
Her win comes 10 years after Li Na became the first Chinese winner of the women’s singles title in Melbourne.
“That final I have watched more than 10 times,” said Zheng, who was 11 when Li won. “I have a lot of memories.”
The 21-year-old added: “I was sitting there in front of TV. I watched from beginning to the end.
“She [Li] is an unbelievable player – the first Asian woman to be a Grand Slam champion. How don’t you remember that?”
Three years earlier she became Asia’s first Grand Slam singles champion with her French Open victory.
Following her victory over Wang, met face-to-face with Li for the first time.
“She said to me don’t think too much, just keep [it] simple. I think that’s what I need to do as well,” Zheng said.
Zheng will play French world number 95 Oceane Dodin in the fourth round after she beat compatriot Clara Burel 6-2 6-4.
Russian Anna Kalinskaya beat American Sloane Stephens 6-7 (8-10) 6-1 6-4 and with Italian Jasmine Paolini awaiting for Kalinskaya in the next round, there is guaranteed to be a first-time major semi-finalist in Zheng’s section of the draw.
Paolini reached her first Grand Slam fourth round by beating Anna Blinkova, who stunned Elena Rybakina on Thursday, 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka claimed her spot in the fourth round with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Latvia’s 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko.
The Belarusian 18th seed trailed 5-2 in the second set and had to save four break points as she served for the match.
She will face Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska, who defeated American 27th seed Emma Navarro 6-2 2-6 6-1.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
