Zheng dedicates win to quake-hit

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-29  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THEY'RE still counting casualties back home, and so when Zheng Jie completed the biggest victory of her career on Friday at Wimbledon, she resisted any temptation to leap or squeal or pump her fist or collapse to the grass in glee.

Instead she merely cracked a slight smile, hoping her family, friends and fans in China could do the same.

The 133rd-ranked Zheng beat new No. 1 Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-4. It was the latest in a series of first-week upsets, and one easy to applaud because Zheng is a native of Chengdu, the capital of earthquake-stricken Sichuan Province. "Of course I hope to make people happy with my win," Zheng said. "I want more people to have their homes, be fine and happy."

Zheng's third-round victory, her first against a top-10 player, meant the earliest exit by a top-ranked woman at Wimbledon since Martina Hingis lost in the first round in 2001.

Ivanovic nearly departed in the second round. Zheng was watching on TV when the Serb won a reprieve on Wednesday by skipping a forehand off the net cord to save match point, then rallied past Nathalie Dechy.

"Really lucky," Zheng said. "It gave me more belief, because I see it's very close. I think, 'Maybe I have some chance'."

Zheng had expected to hog the spotlight by winning a doubles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in August.

Instead, the 24-year-old began her subdued celebrations six weeks early.

After missing most of the 2007 season with an ankle injury, Zheng had been expected to make up the numbers in the 128-strong singles draw.

But she tore up the script on Friday to cause the biggest upset at this year's championships.

"I'm so happy. I'm excited because last year I missed Wimbledon after injuring my ankle. Now I've just come back...and that I can play like this and I'm very surprised," said Zheng.