Zheng, a wild card, lost 2-6, 6-7 (5-7) in a match watched by millions of people on late night television in China on Thursday. But she still created history by becoming the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam singles semi-final.

'She has led fans to believe that this was not a one- off performance and that her success will not stop here,' the Titan Sports Weekly said.

Zheng, the world No 133, beat three seeded players at Wimbledon, including a stunning straight-sets win over world No 1 Ana Ivanovic in the third round.

The 24-year-old's run also showed that she is peaking in time for next month's Beijing Olympics, where she and other Chinese tennis stars are hoping to perform well before the home crowd.

It is not the first time Zheng,who turns 25 today, has tasted success at Wimbledon. But her doubles title triumph with Yan Zi in 2006 received less attention than it deserved back home because China was gripped by the football World Cup then.

Chinese media also noted that the Sichuan native had vowed to hand over her Wimbledon prize money to victims of the May 12 earthquake that devastated parts of her home region.

She earned US$375,000 (S$509,625) for reaching the semi-finals, but not all of the money will go to quake victims as she has to hand over a portion of her winnings to China's tennis authorities.

She may have been the underdog on Thursday but she was not completely overrun.

She even had a set point, which would have taken the tie into a decider. But she was then overwhelmed by a serving barrage which saw 14 aces fired past her by a player 11kg heavier and more than 11cm taller.

'Her serve was just too big for me, especially on a grass court. But on other courts, I probably would have had a better chance,' said Zheng, whose world ranking will shoot back up to around 40 when the new standings are released on Monday.

Now she has her eyes on the Aug 8-24 Games, where she has qualified for the singles and doubles.

'I will use this experience to have better expectations at the Olympics,' she said.

'My focus there is still the doubles. Yan Zi and I have a better chance in it.

'After the Olympics, I might lean to the singles a little bit more.'

But not before getting husband and hitting partner Zhang Yu to start upping the power on the practice court.

'My husband warms up with me every time. But maybe he needs to practise the serve more and serve like Serena,' she said with a smile.

AGENCE-FRANCE PRESSE