Australian Open 2012 live stream

She was the first Chinese ever to reach the singles semi-finals at Wimbledon, and today unseeded Jie Zheng has the opportunity to repeat the feat at the Australian Open.

The 26-year-old from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, plays Maria Kirilenko, also unseeded. The Russian joined Zheng in the quarter-finals when the top-ranked Russian, No. 2 seed Dinara Safina, defaulted on Sunday with back trouble.

The trail-blazing Zheng has won three WTA titles and been ranked as high as 15th. She has also won 11 doubles titles with Yan Zi, including Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Though short by tennis standards – she stands only 164cm and weighs 57kg – Zheng vies with Na Li for recognition as China’s best player.

Both women, along with Yan and Peng Shuai, were part of China’s government-run tennis program, but recently were allowed to manage themselves. They now make all their own arrangements and keep most of their prizemoney.

Some officials believe the players made a mistake. Chinese Tennis Association chief Sun Jinfang believes Zheng is in decline and, like other “less talented and more hardworking” players, would be better off inside the state system.

Zheng, however, disagrees. She won $US 534,172 in 2009, and is now coached by her husband instead of by a CTA appointee. She is determined to prove herself yet again.

Trengove’s Fearless Forecasts

Nadal (2) v Murray (5)
They first met at the Australian Open in 2007, when Nadal won in five. Today, Nadal is struggling, while Murray has greatly matured, though he still trails 2-7 in the head-to-head record. Murray in four.

Roddick (7) v Cilic (14)
They’ve played twice, with the honors even. For Roddick, it’s been a long time between drinks, and he’s impatient for another Grand Slam triumph. Roddick in four.

Petrova (19) v Henin
Even when exhausted, Henin epitomises self-belief. She’ll also be encouraged by the head-to-head record – 12-2 her way. Henin in three.

Kirilenko v Zheng
Zheng has beaten the Muscovite four times in five matches. She has something to prove to her national association, if not to her opponents. Zheng in three.