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Zheng Jie, China's number two, said she was delighted by compatriot Li Na's achievement in becoming the first Chinese woman to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon Friday.
Zheng, who was beaten in straight sets by Belgian second seed Kim Clijsters, said she was not surprised by Li's gutsy 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Russian fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.
"I was not surpised that she beat her this time," said the 23-year-old.
"Two years ago she player her in Beijing (China Open) and had two match points but she lost.
"She said yesterday morning that when always plays with Kuznetsova she always loses in three sets but I told her she could win next time!"
Li, the 27th seed, will now face either Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic or Karolina Sprem on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Zheng said she was pleased with her own performance in reaching the third round at only her second Wimbledon and was full of praise for Clijsters.
"She has a lot of power and a big serve," said Zheng. "I returned well today but her serve is so strong that I didn't have the chance.
"I think it isn't bad to get to the third round as in China there are no grass courts."
China began the tournament with six women in the first round draw.
On Saturday, Peng Shuai faces Italy's Flavia Pennetta, the 16th seed, for a place in the fourth round.
"Peng will play Pannetta," said Zheng. "She has a big chance as Pannetta likes clay courts."
The 24-year-old Li, who clinched her first tour title at Guangzhou in 2004, is making her debut at Wimbledon and is the first Chinese player to be seeded at a Grand Slam.
Her passage to the fourth round also equals the best Grand Slam performance by a Chinese competitor after Zheng's run to the last 16 at the French Open in 2004.
njm/dj06
Tennis-Wimbledon-CHN
AFP 301932 GMT 06 06
COPYRIGHT 2004 Agence France-Presse. All rights reserved.
