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Zheng Jie to work on her serve with new coach
By Yu Yilei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-30 07:44

Zheng Jie to work on her serve with new coach

Chinese tennis ace Zheng Jie says she is keen to improve her serve, the weakest link of her game, ahead of the new season with the help of an American coach.

"The coach will be here next month," Zheng said on the sidelines of her tennis clinic for primary and high school students in Beijing at the weekend. However, she refused to name her new mentor.

"I am expecting positive results," she said.

The world No 36 and 2008 Wimbledon semifinalist boasts a powerful baseline game and sharp play at the net, which was apparent when she and compatriot Yan Zi won the 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon women's doubles titles.

However, the 1.64m player has constantly struggled with weak and inconsistent serves, which she feels have prevented her from moving higher in the world rankings.

"What I care about is whether the new way will suit me. I hope the coach can help me to figure out a way to remedy the disadvantage of my height."

The Sichuan native is in Beijing preparing for the coming season after a two-week break following an appearance in the women's doubles at the Mercedes-Benz China Grand Prix in Nanjing earlier this month.

Outside of her busy training schedule, Zheng found time to conduct a tennis session with 38 primary and high school students on Saturday. It was her second appearance at a clinic for China's youth players, following the Mercedes-Benz "Swing for the Stars" class in Nanjing.

"The youth players are the future of China's tennis and I wouldn't mind conducting as many clinics as possible for them, if I have time."

Zheng will start her season at the Hong Kong Tennis Classic in January alongside stars such as Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams.

(China Daily 11/30/2009 page12)