Zheng was sidelined for six months last year with an ankle injury, but her dazzling performance has given a boost to the Chinese team, which is hoping for medals in both singles and doubles events at the Olympics.

"She has overcome a number of challenges after the injury, and what delights us most is that she has improved her skills, her serves in particular," Jiang said.

Zheng's sparkling journey has been hailed by local media: "Miracle replayed!" trumpeted Xinhua.com.

"Of course we're surprised by Zheng Jie's win," said Xie Miqing, spokeswoman of the Chinese Tennis Association. "The whole nation feels proud and inspired by her performance."

The memory of the May 12 Sichuan earthquake still resonates in China and the Beijing News emphasized Zheng's origins in its headline: "Sichuan girl rewrites history".

Her home city's top paper, the Chengdu Business Daily, read "Chengdu power break out".

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