PREVIEW: China's Zheng could topple Williams Wimbledon dynasty

Jul 2, 2008, 15:06 GMT

London - China's upstart heroine Zheng Jie could throw a spanner into a possible Williams-Williams women's final at Wimbledon as she faces two-time champion Serena on Thursday.

On the other half of the draw, four-time winner and defending champion Venus faces Russian Elena Dementieva, the fifth seed and twice a losing Grand Slam finalist.

The 24-year-old from Chain's earthquake-hit Sichuan province has achieved a number of firsts - and earning victory after losing to the American in the 2004 first round at the All England club would be among the most prominent.

'Serena is two-times winner of the Wimbledon game, and a very prominent player in the grass court,' said Zheng. 'This is my first semi-final. I hope I can do better than last time.

'But for now I just want to simply keep my hope as simple as possible.'

Zheng, China's first-ever Grand Slam singles semi-finalist, is the third Asian woman to get this far alongside Japanese Kazuko Sawamatsu and Kimiko Date.

Zheng has already surpassed the feat of compatriot Li Na, who became China's first-ever Grand Slam quarter-finalist at 2006 Wimbledon.

The second semi-final wildcard at Wimbledon, after Monica Seles in 1995, can dream of becoming the tournament's first-ever unseeded finalist.

'I'm very happy to be in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. These two weeks have been the best of my life,' said the Chinese whose expected early departure for Beijing Olympic preparation has been put on hold by the fortuitous turn of events.

'I never thought I would be in the semi-finals,' said the number 133.

Williams, the 2002 and 2003 winner who has achieved her best result in the last five years, is wary of her next opponent.

'I've been watching her play and I think she's doing a fabulous job. I don't think it's luck, her doing so well, she's a really good player.

'I'm definitely not going to underestimate her.'

Russia's Dementieva also has lots on the line when she faces Venus Williams. Should the fifth seed reach her third career final at a major and subsequently lift the trophy, she will rise from fifth to third in the world.

'She likes to play on grass, and really knows how to play here,' said the Russian 'I think she's a favorite.

'We've never played on grass before, so we'll see.'

Williams will aim to polish a 56-7 record at her favourite Grand Slam.

The American may actually be pining for a cloudy day after having trouble with the mid-day glare during her quarter-final win.

'Serve has been my key this tournament. Anytime I'm down break point, double break or something like that, my serve gets me out of it.

'The challenge this year has been the sun. I've never had to serve in the sun at this tournament. I've played every day at noon or one and it's always cloudy.'

Williams lead 5-2 in the series, winning her last two meetings with Dementieva dating back to 2005.