Wild card Zheng becomes first Chinese player to reach Grand Slam semifinal

By: Chris Lehourites, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON - Zheng Jie became the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament Tuesday, beating Nicole Vaidisova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 at Wimbledon. The 24-year-old Zheng is also the first female wild-card entrant to ever reach the semifinals at the All England Club and second at any Grand Slam. "I never think I can (reach) the semifinal," said Zheng, who is playing at Wimbledon for only the third time and will next face two-time champion Serena Williams of the United States. Zheng landed 65 per cent of her first serves in the match, while Vaidisova struggled with hers and was broken five times. It was only in the second set that Vaidisova got her serve working properly. "Nicole had the big serve," Zheng said. "The second set I felt I had some small chance but she . .... [read full story]