Age: 21 Nationality: China World ranking: 15

Zheng is the only one of the four quarter-finalists to have reached the last eight of a major, but says she is unsure if it is a “big benefit or not”.

After her third-round win, there was a wholesome moment which could provide added inspiration for Zheng – an aggressive baseliner with a hefty serve – to go all the way.

During her post-match media duties, she was standing in front of a camera when Li Na – the trailblazing Chinese star who won the 2014 Australian Open – sneaked up and playfully tapped her.

Zheng has watched Li’s famous Melbourne victory “more than 10 times” – now she is looking to emulate her by becoming the second Chinese woman to reach the final.

Zheng, who reached the US Open quarter-finals last year, revealed it was the first time she had properly met her idol.

“She said to me ‘don’t think too much, just keep simple’,” said Zheng, who lives and trains in Barcelona.

“That’s what I’m trying to do. If you really focus on the basic things, you will show good things in the tennis.”