Li Na, Zheng Jie in 2010 Autralian Open Semis

In my last post three days ago, I observed that the first two Chinese players to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal at the same major will be facing opponents that they have winning histories against. China's top two players, Li Na and Zheng Jie repeated victories over higher favored opponents in achieving another milestone for China - being the first two Chinese players to play in the semifinals of the same Grand Slam.

Zheng reached the quarterfinals first by downing Maria Kirilenko of Russia in straight sets. In the upper half of the draw, Li came back from a 2-4 deficit in the final set to score a dramatic victory over world #6 Venus Williams. Li's victory prevented the first Williams semifinal showdown at a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2000.

Zheng and Li now face two former number 1 players that they have losing histories against, and who have a combine haul of 18 grand slams over their careers. Li will undoubtedly be facing the tougher player in #1 Serena Williams. Though she has beaten Serena in the past, it was the American who was victorious in their two matches last year. Judging from how Serena overcame her quarterfinal opponent, it is very difficult to see Li emerging as the victor in their match-up. She will most likely give a tough challenge, but would fall in straight sets to the younger Williams sister.

Zheng would be pleased with her chances against Henin. For the first time in this tournament, she will be facing a player who is about the same height as her. Zheng, at 5'4" is considered diminutive in terms of women tennis players standard, will try to take advantage of any incosistency from the 5'5" Belgian. My guess is that Zheng will either fall in three sets or win in straight sets.

Whatever the result will be, the history made by these two Chinese players in reaching the semifinals of a major at the same time, is amongst the most compelling stories in the first grand slam of the year. The chances of either one of them lifting the title this Saturday is really minimal, but it will definitely pave a lot of interest in the game in the world's most populous nation.