Shuai Zhang (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai may have ended her Australian Open campaign, but her dreams of a spot at the Rio Olympics becomes more vivid.
Zhang, who staged one of the best upsets at the 2016 Australian Open after defeating world No. 2 Simona Halep in their opener, bowed out of the first Grand Slam event of the year after losing to Britain's Johanna Konta 6-4 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena.
Despite the loss, the 27-year-old's WTA ranking is projected to move from 133 to the top 70, making Zhang China's No. 1 and inching her closet to a slot in Rio de Janeiro, where only the top 56 players compete.
"I have to win a lot matches in the big tournaments with a lot of great players," Zhang said, reports NDTV Sports. "I think it's tough for everybody. But I did a great job these two weeks. I'm so happy."
Zhang had an incredible bid at the Australia Open, winning three qualifying matches and four more in the main draw, which ended her streak of 14 straight losses in Grand Slam tournaments.
It was the best Grand Slam performance by a Chinese player since Li Na, who retired from tennis as the reigning Australian Open champ in 2014.
Meanwhile, Konta will face in the semifinal round Germany's Angelique Kerber, who stunned Belarusian Victoria Azarenka 6-3 7-5.
Konta, who is also making history for Great Britain as the first female finalist in a Grand Slam since Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977, is aware about being the underdog against Kerber, but understands she also has a chance to win.
"Whether you're the favourite or the underdog, I think that's very much a circumstantial thing outside of the match that I'm playing," Konta said, reports The Guardian. "I don't really think about that. It's neither here nor there for me."
The winner between Konta and Kerber will have a chance at a final spot where either of them could face WTA world No. 1 Serena Williams or Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska.
