Chinese Zhang Shuai Roars into Australian Open Women’s Singles Quarters

Those accomplishments lifted the spirits of a nation of around 1.3 billion people seeking an heir apparent to China’s first and only grand slam singles champion, Li Na – who followed her 2011 French Open success by winning the 2014 Australian Open.

The 133rd-ranked Zhang struggled to control her nerves in the decider, but eventually held it together to set up a quarter-final against unseeded Briton Johanna Konta.

“This is the best team in my life”, said Zhang as she fought back tears in a courtside interview.

Madison Keys of United States of America receives medical treatment during her fourth round match against Zhang Shuai of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2016.

“Maybe (for) two points you’re feeling like (they) can not play, and then next three balls, pong, pong, pong, make two aces (and) one victor”.

Zhang, who last week revealed she considered retirement at the back-end of a disheartening 2015 campaign, said she was no longer feeling any pressure, despite only being three wins away from winning a fairytale first Grand Slam.

“I’ve always said I do not believe in a light-switch moment”, said Konta, who left Australia as a 14-year-old to base herself in Spain, with her family moving to Britain to provide support. Before today I was thinking, ‘Okay, today is the final.’ When somebody wins six matches at a Grand Slam, it’s already the final, right? The Australian saved two match points before returning a serve long to give Murray the win in 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Qualifier Zhang was able to take advantage of a hip injury that left Keys in tears throughout the match to post a 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory.

“So, so tough. You don’t know what’s (going to) happen”.

“She’s come from qualifying and I think she’s doing unbelievably well so all credit to her for that”. “But this time I really tried to concentrate, and I’m happy I won”. “I can have a holiday, rest, stay with my parents – and practice more too”.

The 27-year-old from the northern port of Tianjin will meet rising American talent Madison Keys in the fourth round on Monday, having become just the fourth Chinese woman to reach the last 16 of a grand slam. Although the women’s draw has been filled with upsets, one favours Keys to still progress to the quarter-finals. “That’s the thing I’m most happy about”.

But she was given little chance of reaching the last eight against the hard-hitting American youngster, a semi-finalist a year ago when she she pushed Serena Williams hard.

Azarenka will now play Germany’s Angelique Kerber. Asked why she didn’t retire, her answer was short and simple: “One, I hate retiring”.

“I think on some shots I kind of just closed my eyes and kind of just slapped the ball”.

The Chinese, who sympathised with Keys after the match, added it had also been a distraction, which undoubtedly contributed to a nervous third set.