Fighting spirit

World No 32 Zhang also did Chinese fans proud by reprising her 2018 Australian Open come-from-behind victory over Stephens.

The unseeded Zhang again showed what a resilient performer she is to triumph 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 against the 26-year-old American in their first-round clash on Jan 20.

"I've fought against setbacks in my career with a never-say-die spirit for so long and I believe this is my biggest weapon going forward to reach new heights," said Zhang, who turned 31 the next day and was serenaded with a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' from the crowd after the match.

Zhang, who had an eight-year first-round losing streak at Slams from 2008-15, broke through at the 2016 Australian Open, where she advanced to the quarterfinals all the way from qualification.

Now having reached at least the last 32 at all four majors and repeated her record quarterfinal run at Wimbledon last year, Zhang believes she belongs in the top echelon of the sport.

"The poise and confidence that I have facing much higher-ranked opponents nowadays are the biggest differences for me to perform better on the big stage," said Zhang, who later defeated American Caty McNally 6-2, 6-4 before losing 7-5, 7-6 (9) to eventual champ Kenin, also of the US, in round three.

An emerging force in professional tennis, China for the first time saw four women reach the second round at this year's Australian Open and sent a record number of 21 female and male players, including doubles competitors and qualifiers, to the event.

After losing three first-round matches in a row since 2017, 26-year-old Chinese Zhu Lin cracked the opening test on her fourth attempt in Melbourne this year after rallying from a set down to beat Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic in three sets.

It was Zhu's second win at a Grand Slam, having made the second round of last year's US Open.

Wang is hoping to maintain her good start as the WTA circuit now switches to its North American swing, but she also has one eye on the Tokyo Olympics.

"Everybody is paying a lot of attention to the Olympics and obviously won't give up on the rest of the majors," she said. "Hopefully I can carry this momentum with me to prepare myself for the Olympics as the season unfolds."