Zheng excited for quick return

China's Zheng Jie said she was brimming with confidence for the 2012 Olympics back at Wimbledon after an impressive performance on Center Court that almost got the better of Serena Williams.

Zheng (pictured) will represent her country at the All-England Club later this month and, if she maintains her form, will be a dangerous prospect in the draw.

The 28-year-old took the first set off four-time champion Williams, but lost a final set thriller in a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 9-7 defeat on Saturday.

The 25th seed provided the American with a serious test over nearly 2 1/2 hours, but Williams finally made the breakthrough through some record-breaking serving.

"She is very good player, and I played very close in that match," Zheng said. "I think it gives me more confidence for the Olympics, and also I'm so happy to come back to the Center Court and many people came to support me and gave me the power to fight."

In 2008, Zheng became the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, before Williams halted her progress. The Sichuan right-hander came close to exacting revenge.

"I really wanted to win this match, because I remember this is my third time against her at Wimbledon, the Center Court. So that also gave me more confidence looking forward to the Olympic Games."

Williams said Zheng was playing "unbelievable on grass" - and the Chinese said she had told her as much to her face.

Praise indeed from one of the game's greats, who has four singles and five doubles titles in total from the only Grand Slam played on the surface.

"After we finished the match, she just told me, 'You are crazy! You are crazy'! She said, 'Oh, this is an unbelievable match for us'.

"I just wish she can win this year."

Williams fired 23 aces - a Wimbledon women's singles record - to make it into the last 16.

"She is very dangerous player. I cannot remember how many aces," Zheng said. "It's a long match, and also it's a tough match because she has a big serve. It's very difficult against her on the grass court."

(China Daily 07/02/2012 page24)