Jie Zheng’s momentous victory over Nicole Vaidisova on Tuesday made history as the 24-year old from Cheng Du became the first Chinese woman to reach the semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament.
Before watching Zheng play Serena Williams in the semifinals on Thursday, improve your knowledge about the tournament’s most famous wild card.
Name Pronunciation: zhen jeh
Birthday: July 5, 1983
Hometown: Cheng Du, China
Started playing tennis at age: 10
Coach: Li Chen
Plays: Right-handed, two-handed backhand
Other Sport Interests: Golf, table tennis and badminton
Favorite Shot: Backhand
Highest ranking: No. 27 (August 14, 2006)
Current ranking: No. 133
Education: Graduated from Si Chuan Sports Academy in June 2000
Doubles career highlights: Won the 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon titles with countrywoman Yan Zi.
Tour recognitions: Zheng was appointed a Promoter of Gender Equality as part of the UNESCO/Sony Ericsson WTA Tour partnership and she recently appeared in the Tour’s new “Looking for a Hero?” advertising campaign.
She has alot of talent, someone to watch in the future. I just wonder if her competition keeps increasing she won’t get number 1.
Aaress,
Are you sure about the pronunciation of her name? I think it may be more like ge(as in the ge of george) – ung ji-eh
Pov, the pronunciation “zhen jeh” is what the Tour’s profile lists.
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/Playerbio.asp?PlayerID=260144
But I’ve heard it pronounced differently a couple of times by the commentators and umpires.