China's Zheng makes Grand Slam history

Tag : card playing

The 24-year-old Zheng is also the first female wild-card entrant toever reach the semifinals at the All England Club and second at anyGrand Slam.
"I never think I can (reach) the semifinal," said Zheng,who is playing at Wimbledon for only the third time and will nextface two-time champion Serena Williams.
Zheng landed 65 percent of her first serves in the match, whileVaidisova struggled with hers and was broken five times.
It was only in the second set that Vaidisova got her serve workingproperly.
"Nicole had the big serve," said Zheng whose exploitshave been followed on television by fans back home. "Thesecond set I felt I had some small chance but she ... played moreaggressive."
Zheng has only won three titles on the WTA Tour in her career, andher best previous Grand Slam performance came at the 2004 FrenchOpen when she reached the fourth round.
At Wimbledon, she reached the third round in 2006 but missed lastyear's tournament with a left ankle injury.
Vaidisova reached the fourth round at the Australian Open but waseliminated in the first round at the French Open. The 19-year-oldCzech has twice reached the semifinals at a Grand Slam, the 2006French Open and the 2007 Australian Open.
Her best previous showing at the All England Club came last yearwhen she reached the quarterfinals.
Vaidisova is one of only six women to have won five tour titlesbefore her 17th birthday, following Tracy Austin, Andrea Jaeger,Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati and Martina Hingis.