Tennis

Low expectations for Chinese

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-21 09:33

BEIJING - Four months ago, Li Na and Zheng Jie created Chinese tennis history by advancing to the semifinals at the Australian Open.

That major breakthrough has now led to great expectations and Chinese eyes are now focused expectantly on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Fans can't help wondering if this year's French Open be the third Grand Slam, after Wimbledon and the Australian Open, to see a Chinese semifinalist or even be the first one to witness a finalist from this country.

However, history appears to be against China's aces as they have never advanced beyond the round of 16 in Paris.

In 2004, Zheng became the first Chinese player to advance to the fourth round at a Grand Slam at Roland Garros but she has never gone deeper in the tournament since.

Li was on the verge of delivering a better performance when she was leading 4-2 in the third set against Maria Sharapova in the round of 16 but the Russian then won the match by taking four games in a row.

Naturally, both are looking to do better this time.

Although Li lost four matches in a row after her stunning performance in Melbourne, she has regained her form on clay. She defeated third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in Stuttgart and had a three-match winning streak at the Madrid Open, upsetting last year's French Open semifinalist Dominika Cibulkova along the way.

"My goal is to surpass last year's performance. I had a good chance last time but I didn't take it. I hope I can make it this year," said Li, who has reached at least the quarterfinals at the other three Grand Slams.

Zheng has struggled on clay so far this season. She was knocked out by world No 114 Maria Elena Camerin of Italy in Rome and then downed by Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues in Madrid - both in the opening round.

But she says those setbacks could be a blessing in disguise.

"Before the 2008 Wimbledon and this year's Australian Open, I also played below par in several events. So this time, when I lose before the French Open, I don't really worry about it," Zheng said after her defeat in Spain.

For China's No 3, Peng Shuai, she just needs two victories to surpass her personal best at Roland Garros.