China's Zhang reaches Australian Open quarterfinals

Updated: 2016-01-25 22:10

By Sun Xiaochen(chinadaily.com.cn)

China's Zhang Shuai reacts during her fourth round match against Madison Keys of the US at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 25, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Zhang, who turned 27 on Thursday, will next play Johanna Konta who became the first British woman since Jo Durie in 1984 to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal by beating Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 4-6 6-4 8-6.

Zhang's journey into the second week of the tournament has comforted Chinese fans, who were desperate for another star performer at the Grand Slam after Li retired in 2014 with a chronic knee injury.