Nadal-Federer virtual clash

MELBOURNE: There are times, Rafael Nadal admits, when he’d rather be like Roger Federer.

But only on his Playstation.

While Nadal says he is very happy with his performance so far at the Australian Open this year, in the Playstation world he’d rather be Federer than himself.

Nadal said his own avatar on the Playstation game just didn’t have the winning moves.

In the game, says Nadal, “I am only the defensive guy, two metres behind the line. ... I don’t run. Better to choose another player.”

China rising

China’s Zheng Jie sees promise in the progression of two Chinese women’s players into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

“I think we can go the far way,” Zheng said. “I hope we can be in the semifinal.”

The 26-year-old Zheng is chasing her previous best, a surprising run to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2008, becoming the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals at a major.

As a doubles player with Yan Zi, she won the Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles titles in 2006.

“I think Australia is lucky for me because I won the first Grand Slam doubles title in Australia,” Zheng said.

This year marks the first time two Chinese have reached the fourth round at the same Grand Slam tournament. But while there were five Chinese women in the singles tournament, there were no Chinese men.

Why?

“Is hard question,” Zheng said, smiling. “Everybody wants to know. Maybe men need to be more hard-working. I don’t know.” — AP