While the world's best teens surged through the Australian Open junior draws, China's young players were well in the shadows of their young counterparts. The gap, however, is narrowing.

Sixteen-year-old Sun Ziyue is the last remaining Chinese of six in the juniors (girls doubles). Her singles campaign ended in the third round, but she is confident she will be on level footing with the world's best soon.

"(The western juniors) are actually not as tough as I expected," Sun told China Daily after her second-round victory.