Zhang Shuai (Photo : Getty Images)
Chines qualifier Zhang Shuai continues her impressive campaign at the 2016 Australian Open after defeating Alize Cornet 6-3 6-3 to book a third round match against American Varvara Lepchenko.
Zhang, the remaining Chinese competitor in the women's singles category of the first Grand Slam event of the year at Melbourne Park, followed up her stunning victory over world No. 2 Simona Halep in the opening round of the tournament.
The 27-year-old Chinese, No. 133 in the WTA's world rankings, said her victory is "like a dream come true," winning five consecutive matches stemming from the qualifying round in Melbourne.
Zhang broke Cornet's serve five times and hit 18 winners in a match that lasted one hour and 26 minutes.
The victory earned Zhang a third round match against Lepchenko, who dismissed Spain's Lara Arruabarrena 7-6(7) 6-4 in the second round of the Australian Open.
"(It's) Like a dream come true," Zhang said, reports the Western Morning News.
"But I'm looking forward (to the) next match, yeah. I don't want stop right now. I want to keep winning."
Meanwhile, the other Chinese representative in the women's singles Zheng Saisai got her Australian Open bid halted after losing 6-2 6-3 against Johanna Konta of Great Britain.
"I don't get too fazed by where they put me," Konta said after winning her match against Zheng, reports The Guardian. "The court is the same size, the lines are in the same place and so is the net."
Konta now faces a third round showdown against Czech Dennisa Allertova, who defeated 30th seed Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-3 2-6 6-4.
