CRI听力:Young Chinese Players Shine on Aus Open

If Li Na's French Open win was the earthquake, then here comes the tsunami.

Eight Chinese players lined up in the main draw of the Australian Open this year, and, for the first time, two of them are men.

Alongside the familiar faces of Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai stands Zhang Shuai, who shot up the world rankings last year and is now at No.51.

Joining them are 19-year-old Tang Haochen, who earned her place by winning the Asia-Pacific wild-card playoff last year, and Duan Yingying, who battled through qualifying last week.

Zhuang Shuai gave her first opponent, German Mona Barthel, a hard time on the court, but was beaten in the first round.

It's the 9th time that Zhang has played in a Grand Slam but failed in the first round.

After the match, Zhang told the media that she has a lot of work to do to catch up with her opponent.

"She dominates the match in many aspects. For example, she is more aggressive and accurate. I didn't have the chance to have winners in the match, and I haven't played at 100% of my abilities. I was too passive."

Wild-card entry Tang Haochen's first round opponent was rising Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard, who is also 19 years old and has already played in seven Grand Slam.

Tang came into this tournament ranked at No.431. The 19 year old is yet to make an impression on the ITF and WTA Tour, and is looking to gain as much experience as she can from the Event.

"My biggest problem is my ability to adjust. For example, when I play the first four games well, I will say to myself that I may win. Then I do not dare to attack 'cause I'm afraid of errors. Therefore, the opponent takes advantage and wins. This is the gap between me and the top players. I need to get rid of those thoughts, and that's the biggest gain I can make at the Australian Open."

It's not the first time young Chinese player Duan Yingying has played in a Grand Slam.

Last year, she battled through qualifying at the American Open but was beaten in the first round.

This year, she comes to Melbourne via the same route by defeating Russian player Vera Dushevina, whose highest ranking is world number 31.

Although she lost to Belarussian Olga Govorlsova in the first round at Melbourne Park, she says she can see her progress.

"I feel different compared to my experience at the American Open last year. It's my second time playing in a Grand Slam, and I think I'm more relaxed on the court."

The progress of China's men has been glacial by comparison, but the long-awaited new crop of players is finally beginning to bloom.

Wu Di made history last year as the first Chinese man in the Open Era to feature in a Grand Slam main draw, after winning last year's wild-card playoff slot.

He's back again via the same route, and is joined by Zhang Ze, who earned his own place through qualifying.

Wu Di admits that he has wasted some opportunities to go further, but he won a set in Melbourne and that has boosted his confidence.

"You can beat a top player only when you have the chance to play against them. I'm far behind them, so I need more practice to boost myself, especially with exercise."

23 year-old Zhang Ze, who played doubles with Roger Federer at the Shanghai Rolex Masters in October, qualified for the main draw, beating Illya Marchenko 7-5, 6-3 in the final round.

He played Spain's Fernando Verdasco, the 31st seed and a former Melbourne semifinalist, but failed to make it into the second round.

Zhang says he has found his weakness during the tournament.

"My consistency is not good when playing against top players. At the beginning I play well, but I can't maintain that level. That's my problem. I need better conditioning."

Although the young Chinese young players failed to make it into the second round, their progress is drawing attention.

They were defeated, but they have not given up and will try to do better next time.

They are gaining experience and each is finding his or her game. It's believed they will go further at Grand Slams in the near future.

For CRI, I'm Wang Xiao from Melbourne.