China's hopes of success in August had faded since Zheng helped lead the breakthrough for Chinese women in 2006.

She teamed up with Yan Zi to win China's first major titles in Melbourne and at the All England Club, won her second and third WTA singles events and helped China reach the Fed Cup world group for the first time.

Only Li Na did better at Wimbledon—and the first player from her country to move into the top 20.

Zheng and Li have since struggled with injury and loss of form and Yan is currently the top-ranked Chinese woman at No. 45, a spot ahead of Li.

Chinese sports officials said Zheng's accomplishment was a shot of confidence for Chinese athletes ahead of the Olympics next month.

"The victory shows our players that if you can adjust your mentality and approach the game calmly, forcing your opponent to make mistakes, then you can make a miracle happen," Gao Shenyang, deputy director of China's national tennis center, was quoted as saying by sina.com.

Gao also said Zheng was a blueprint for a new generation of players. "It is a remarkable moment for Chinese tennis," he told the Beijing News earlier.

"Zheng has two reasons to win. One is her mentality. She never gives up until last moment. Second is her way of playing—speed, variety, cleverness. That can represent the future direction of development of Chinese players."

Zheng will also play doubles in Beijing because, with long-time partner Yan, she is still considered the best chance of China retaining the Olympic women's doubles gold medal won by Sun Tiantian and Li Tie in Athens.

Zheng and Yan both come from Sichuan capital Chengdu, which was hit by a devastating earthquake on May 12. Both of them will use their prize money to help the quake victims.

"I will donate all my portion (of the prize money), I want to do as much as I can," said Zheng who also became the first wildcard to reach the last four in the Wimbledon women's singles.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily July 3, 2008)