Australian Open 2024: Zheng Qinwen takes inspiration from Li Na as she reaches fourth round

China's Zheng Qinwen edged out compatriot Wang Yafan to reach the Australian Open fourth round.

Zheng, who has climbed to 13th in the rankings after a run to the US Open quarter-finals in 2023, won on a third set tie-break 6-4 2-6 7-6 (10-8).

Her win comes 10 years after Li Na became the first Chinese winner of the women's singles title in Melbourne.

"That final I have watched more than 10 times," said Zheng, who was 11 when Li won. "I have a lot of memories."

The 21-year-old added: "I was sitting there in front of TV. I watched from beginning to the end.

"She [Li] is an unbelievable player - the first Asian woman to be a Grand Slam champion. How don't you remember that?"

Li beat Dominika Cibulkova on Rod Laver Arena in 2014 to win her second Grand Slam title but retired later that year because of injury.

Three years earlier she became Asia's first Grand Slam singles champion with her French Open victory.

Following her victory over Wang, met face-to-face with Li for the first time.

"She said to me don't think too much, just keep [it] simple. I think that's what I need to do as well," Zheng said.

Zheng will play French world number 95 Oceane Dodin in the fourth round after she beat compatriot Clara Burel 6-2 6-4.

Russian Anna Kalinskaya beat American Sloane Stephens 6-7 (8-10) 6-1 6-4 and with Italian Jasmine Paolini awaiting for Kalinskaya in the next round, there is guaranteed to be a first-time major semi-finalist in Zheng's section of the draw,

Paolini reached her first Grand Slam fourth round by beating Anna Blinkova, who stunned Elena Rybakina on Thursday, 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.