Birthdate: 7/5/1983
Height: 5'4'' (164cm)
Residence: Cheng Du, Si Chuan, China
Weight: 126lbs (57 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2003.1
Career Review
Singles Record: 133 - 71
Singles Titles: 3
Double Titles: 14
Prize Money: $304,436
Singles Career Titles (3)
2002 - ITF/Shanghai-CHN, ITF/Tianjin 1-CHN
2003 - ITF/Bronx-USA, ITF/Paducah-USA
Doubles Career Finalist (1)
2003 - Vienna (w/Yan)
2004 Highlights
January
At Hobart, as world No. 80, l. 1r to world No. 36 and No. 4 seed Zuluaga; as world No. 82 at the Australian Open, was upset in 1r by No. 119 Drake; reached Australian Open doubles QF w/Yan.
February
As a world No. 79 WC at Tokyo [Pan Pacific], l. 1r to Panova (using a SR of No. 33); as world No. 82 and No. 6 seed, reached Hyderabad QF, l. to No. 54 Tanasugarn (No. 3 seed); reached Hyderabad doubles SF w/Yan; at Dubai, as a world No. 75 qualifier, l. 1r 75 75 to No. 51 WC Pratt.
March
As world No. 77 at Doha, upset No. 15 Dokic (No. 6 seed) in straight sets in 2r, her first Top 20 opponent (prior best match-win was over No. 30 Tanasugarn at 2003 Tokyo [Japan Open]), l. QF (first-ever Tier II) to world No. 7, No. 3 seed, defending and eventual champion Myskina; as world No. 63 at Miami, d. No. 93 LL Kleinova before l. 2r to former world No. 1 V. Williams (using a SR of No. 3 and seeded No. 2).
May
As world No. 63 at Vienna, upset No. 29 Raymond (No. 3 seed) for third win over a Top 30 player, before l. 2r to No. 69 Kurhajcova; reached career-high world No. 58 on May 24 at Roland Garros and became first Chinese woman through to a Grand Slam 4r, l. to Suárez (ranked and seeded No. 14) .
June
Broke into world Top 50 at No. 49 on June 7 (at Birmingham, where she l. 1r to No. 106 Mikaelian in 3s), becoming first Chinese woman in Top 50 since Li (April 1999) and reached Birmingham doubles SF w/Yan, their second SF together this season; as a world No. 48 qualifier at Eastbourne, was upset in 1r by No. 235 WC Janes; as world No. 52 at Wimbledon, l. 1r to former No. 1 top seed and two-time defending champion S.Williams (current No. 10) .
Personal
Coached by Liang Zuo Wang...First memory of tennis was watching a match between Graf and Seles; older sister started playing first, which influenced Jie to take up the game at 10; favorite shot is backhand...Parents are Shu Kai Zheng and Zhi Bin Lei...Graduated from St. Chuan Sports Academy in June 2000...Favorite color is blue, favorite flowers are roses and favorite cuisine is Chinese...Other sports include golf, table tennis and badminton...Admires parents and grandparents.
(chinaopen.cn September 10, 2004)
