Shuai Zhang stuns Madison Keys to set up meeting with Johanna Konta

25 January 2016 03:53

Chinese qualifier Shuai Zhang has gone from Samantha Stosur's ball-girl to Australian Open quarter-finalist.

Zhang knocked out American Madison Keys 3-6 6-3 6-3 on Monday to book a last-eight match-up with Britain's Johanna Konta and continue one of tennis' greatest under-dog stories.

The world number 133 arrived in Melbourne on the back of 14 consecutive first round exits and having never one a single match in the main draw of a grand slam.

After beating Keys, who was struggling with an injury to her left leg, Zhang thanked Australia's Stosur in the crowd and said: "I'll be your ball-girl forever."

Speaking later in her press conference, Zhang explained: "She play against left hand first round. My coach is left hand. We talk, Okay, maybe Sam need some left hand for warm-up.

"Also my coach always warm up for me, also always practice with me. He play very good. He also was very good player in China.

"Really bad luck for Sam lost first round. I'm so happy she come today, support me."

Zhang considered giving up the game last year but after three matches of qualifying, she has beaten second seed Simona Halep, world number 33 Alize Cornet and now the talented Keys.

Playing in the quarter-finals will earn her $400,000 Australian dollars (£196,000).

"Right now, after this tournament, I need a long break because I already play seven matches," Zhang said.

"Before today I'm thinking, 'Okay, today is the final'. When somebody already win six matches on grand slam, it is already final, right?

"So try to like feeling like a final, night match. Feeling like the last match, yeah."

Asked what she would have done if she had retired, Zhang said: "I really want to have one coffee bar. So welcome to everybody. Come when I'm retire."

Zhang is on course for a potential semi-final against the much-fancied Victoria Azarenka, who enjoyed another comfortable win, this time seeing off Czech Barbora Strycova 6-2 6-4.

Azarenka is many pundits' tip to be crowned champion in five days' time and her 6-2 6-4 victory means she is yet to drop a set in her opening four matches.

"I was more focused on staying focused because she's a type of player that throws you a lot off your rhythm," Azarenka said.

"I was just trying to focus more on execution and being aggressive and follow my game plan from the first point to the last."

Azarenka will now play Germany's Angelique Kerber. Kerber beat her compatriot Annika Beck 6-4 6-0.

Source: PA