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Zheng Jie: Reaches semi-finals
Zheng Jie defeated Nicole Vaidisova 6-2 5-7 6-1 at Wimbledon to become the first Chinese player into the semi-final of a grand slam.
The 24-year-old, ranked 133 in the world, controlled much of the game as her teenage Czech opponent struggled to deal with a range of deep, flat groundstrokes.
And although Vaidisova scrapped hard to claim the second set and force a decider, Zheng produced more hard-working and classy tennis to set up a semi-final against Serena Williams.
Vaidisova did have her fair share of chances in the first set but couldn't take advantage of the six break points that came her way. By contrast Zheng was clinical, breaking twice from just four attempts to take full control.
However Vaidisova, the 18th seed who reached the quarter-finals here last year, stormed back and after edging ahead at 6-5 was now serving to take a highly competitive second set.
The 19-year-old subsequently went 30-0 up but Zheng hit back with some brilliant shots to grab a break point. Vaidisova was not to be denied and eventually managed to level the match when her opponent put a crucial volley out.
Wild card Zheng, who ousted world number one Ana Ivanovic from Wimbledon on Friday, responded in style and didn't look fazed as she reeled off five games in a row to wrap up victory in one hour and 53 minutes.
Zheng revealed after the match she will donate all her winnings to victims of the earthquake in her birthplace Sichuan, which killed around 70,000 people.
She will not be allowed to donate all her prize money because a portion will go to the Chinese government, but she confirmed she will give her share of the pot to help victims of the quake.
"I would like to give the all prize money but cannot, you know," she said. "I need give back to something like the tennis association.
"Of course I will donate all my portion. Apart from that, I will do as much as I can to help the Sichuan region people because I'm from Sichuan province, as well.
"After going back after the Wimbledon, I will do more charity work and encourage more people to come to support the stricken region and hope people from Sichuan will have their new homes as soon as possible."
The world number 133 is hopeful she can pull off another upset against Williams, but knows she has a tough task ahead of her.
"Serena is two times a winner of Wimbledon and a very prominent player in the grass court," said Zheng, who will celebrate her 25th birthday on Saturday, the day of the women's final.
"For me, it's only the first time in a semi-final and in 2004, in the first round, I lost to Serena when she was defending champion.
"Of course I hope I can have better achievements when I play her and of course I also wish to win.
"But for now I just want to keep my hopes as simple as possible.
"Serena, with no doubt, is an outstanding player, and so far I haven't found any weak links about her.
"But as a first semi-final, I would rather enjoy the game than anything else."
Vaidisova, who beaten Zheng in their previous two meetings, conceded the better player had won on the day.
She said: "I feel like she was the better player. She was hitting the ball great.
"I was trying to hang in there and tried to turn it around in the second set. It worked a little bit.
"I have to give her credit. She played great."
