China's Zhang Shuai continues 2016 Australian Open streak. (Photo : Getty Images)
China's Zhang Shuai advanced in the third round of the 2016 Australian Open after beating France's Alize Cornet, 6-3, 6-3, at the Show Court 2 of the Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday.
The victory, Zhang's second all-time in grand slam events after her 6-4, 6-3 first round win over world no. 2 Simona Halep on Tuesday, came right on the day that the Tianjin, China native celebrates her 27th birthday, which makes it extra sweet.
Zhang's parents were there to witness their daughter's impressive feat, as she "reproduced the form that saw her stun" the Romanian during their opening round matchup two days ago, as per the tournament's official website.
The report continued that her victory over Halep was said to be her first ever grand slam win after 15 tries and it was also "the first sets she'd won at a major since Wimbledon 2011".
In the second round, Zhang, who places 100 positions below her opponent in the world rankings at 133, carried out 18 winners as compared to seven for the 25-year-old, world no. 33 Cornet. She also had 32 unforced errors while the Frenchwoman had 36.
It was also the second straight time that Zhang convincingly defeated a highly-ranked opponent.
"It's like a dream come true. I'm looking forward to the next match, I don't want to stop right now, I want to keep winning," Zhang told reporters during the post-match interview, as per the South China Morning Post. "I try to be positive. In my life, I don't want to be negative. I want everything positive. I don't want to always thinking bad thing."
"I lost 14 times first round. Maybe because 14 time give me a lot more energy to work hard. I won five match already. I don't want stop right now. I want to keep win," she added.
The young Chinese also expressed her desire to continue her winning streak, which now stands at five since the Australian Open qualifying games where she emerged victorious.
Her next match will be on Saturday against USA's Varvara Lepchenko in the third round. The 29-year-old Lepchenko, who is a southpaw and of Ukrainian descent, is currently ranked no. 46 in the world. She defeated Spain's Lara Arruabarrena, 7-6 (7), 6-4, in their second round matchup also on Thursday at Court 19.
