Zhu Lin of China upset the sixth-seed Maria Sakkari of Greece in the third round of the Australian Open, setting a new personal record and advancing to the Round of 16.
Currently ranked as world No. 87, Zhu sprinted to a 4-0 advantage in 21 minutes and sealed a comfortable 6-2 first-set victory.
In the final round of qualifying at the Australian Open 2016, Maria Sakkari edged past Zhu Lin in straight sets to secure her main draw debut. Seven years later, the Chinese right-hander avenged that loss with the biggest win of her career: a stunning 7-6(3) 1-6 6-4 upset over the Greek sixth seed.
Zhu is the first Chinese player to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park and to take out a top-10 seed – since Qiang Wang shocked Serena Williams in 2020. Her victory over Sakkari gives her belief that she can play at this new level.
References:
[1] https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-01-20/Zhu-Lin-reaches-AO-2023-Round-of-16-setting-new-career-best-1gKReBXU4zC/index.html
[2] https://english.news.cn/20230119/54dd7c2bf5f94d8cac1515e218bb9a41/c.html
[3] https://ausopen.com/articles/news/new-year-new-zhu-world-no87-chasing-new-heights-2023
