China salutes Zheng Jie's Aust. Open win

Back home, Zheng Jie is being hailed as "China's golden flower."

The 26-year-old player advanced to the Australian Open semifinals Tuesday, marking a second day of good news for China.

Compatriot Li Na reached the last eight a day earlier, which gave China two players in the quarterfinals at the same Grand Slam for the first time.

"It's a big surprise for China," Zheng said, after beating Russian Maria Kirilenko in a convincing 6-1, 6-3.

Her next opponent will be seven-time Grand Slam winner Justine Henin, who has reached the semis in her Grand Slam comeback after taking 20 months off from tennis.

Zheng was a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2008, the best run by a Chinese player at a Grand Slam. She teamed up with compatriot Yan Zi to win both the Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles titles in 2006 for China's first Grand Slam trophies.

But she had never made it beyond the fourth-round in Melbourne in four previous appearances - and was openly savoring the moment and full of admiration for Henin.

"Justine is my favorite player," said Zheng, who is ranked No. 35. "I'm lucky I can play against my favorite player, and I just want to enjoy the tennis."

The two share similar traits: Both are not very tall but very quick on their feet.

When asked how their styles differ, Zheng thought a second and said, "No difference."

Both have been working to improve upon a common weakness - their serve - and both have shown positive results in Melbourne.

The 5-foot-4 (1.64-meter) Zheng, who is coached by her husband, said she has also taken on a new American coach who has helped her serve. Henin is a year older at 27 and slightly taller at just over 5-foot-5 (1.67 meters)

Kirilenko, who had an upset win over 2008 champion Maria Sharapova in the first round, said she noticed Zheng was serving "not so fast" but to positive effect.

"She was serving to the body a lot, kind of a slice serve, soft," Kirilenko said. "It's difficult to attack from this kind of serve when it's coming low."

Kirilenko took breaks during the match to treat first a sore right leg, then her left leg.

"I was kind of feeling pain everywhere," the Russian said. "But I know I lost today not because of my pain in my legs, just because she was playing much better than me."

To win the match, Zheng broke Kirilenko in her final serve when the Russian double-faulted on the last point.

The China News Agency applauded the victory with the headline, "China's golden flower has made history at the Australian Open!"

The article noted that the crowd "paid respect to this tough and brave Chinese woman."

After Li's entry to the quarterfinals on Monday, China's national broadcaster CCTV ran highlights of the match throughout the day. Their matches are broadcast live on TV.

No Chinese player has ever broken into the top 10 or won a major singles title.

The No. 15-ranked Li faces Venus Williams in her quarterfinal Wednesday. They played only once before - at the 2008 Beijing Olympics - when Li won 7-5, 7-5.