ZHENG AIMS TO GO ONE BETTER TO EMULATE LI

Chinese wants to follow in idol's footsteps by improving on final loss in Melbourne

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There seemed a touch of destiny when Zheng Qinwen made the Australian Open final in 2024, a decade after trailblazing compatriot Li Na hoisted the women's trophy.

She ended up being crushed by nemesis Aryna Sabalenka in the decider, but this season she will hope to go one better and join Li as the second Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Li's exploits led to predictions of China's rise in women's tennis, fuelled by a generation of young girls inspired to pick up rackets.

Ten years on from the two-time Grand Slam champion's retirement, it has not quite come to pass, but China is well represented at the highest levels, with four women in the top 100.

Zheng, ranked fifth in the world and seeded fifth at Melbourne Park, is the standout among them.

Having won the Olympic singles gold medal in Paris, a prize that eluded Li, the 22-year-old has shown she has the mental game to match the raw power to win on the biggest stages.

Her background and playing style have also inevitably drawn comparisons with her idol.

Zheng was born in Li's home province of Hubei and trained in her hometown Wuhan.