Shuai Zhang (Photo : Getty Images)
Zhang Shuai's dream run at the 2016 Australian Open in Melbourne continues into the quarterfinal rounds after the Chinese qualifier defeated an injured Madison Keys 3-6 6-3 6-3.
Ranked as world No. 133, Zhang came into the tournament 0-14 in Grand Slam matches and at some point considered hanging up her racquet. But after reaching the QF round, Zhang revealed she well set aside retirement and will just opt for a break from professional tennis.
"Right now, after this tournament, I need a long break," Zhang said, reports the WTA's official website.
"I'd already said this year I'll play less tournaments. I don't want to play too much. I want some more time for my life. I can have a holiday, rest, stay with my parents - and practice more too."
Zhang, who staged one of the biggest upsets in this year's tournament after beating world No. 2 Simona Halep in the opening round, became the fourth Chinese ever to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal and is bound to be the China's No. 1 after the Australian Open.
The 27-year-old Chinese said she was happy about winning the match, but admitted it was still tough fighting an injured Keys, who reached her first Grand Slam semifinal in Melbourne last year.
Keys dominated the first set with powerful groundstrokes and broke Zhang at love in the opening game of the match. The American called for a medical timeout after she started to feel pain in her left leg early in the second set. As the match went on, Keys looked increasingly in pain, having difficulty putting weight on her leg.
Keys said she dismissed retiring from the match despite the injury because she wanted to give Zhang a battle for the quarterfinal spot.
"One, I hate retiring. Two, you don't want to do that to someone who is trying to get into the quarter-finals," Keys said, reports The Guardian.
Zhang will next face British Johanna Konta, who will also play for her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Konta defeated Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 6-4 4-6 6-8, becoming the first British player to reach the QF round of the Australian Open in 33 years.
Konta's confidence from her first three matches paid off against Marakova in a match that lasted three hours and four minutes. Against Zhang, Konta said she plans to repeat what she has been doing all throughout the tournament.
It's really about just keep walking, just keep breathing," Konta said, reports the Irish Times. "The fewer thoughts the better. I'm going to eat and sleep, eat and sleep and then repeat [ahead of her match on Wednesday night]."
