Zheng Qinwen was born in the same province in China as Li Na and grew up idolizing Roger Federer.
Li retired several years ago, and Federer will pull down the curtain after the Laver Cup this weekend. Zheng, meanwhile, is hoping to follow in their footsteps and already has some fans thinking she could become the next big thing in the sport.
The 19-year-old Zheng burnished her already growing reputation by blowing past No. 4 Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum on Wednesday night. She routed Misaki Doi a night earlier, winning 19 straight points at one juncture during a 6-2, 6-4 win.