Zheng Qinwen, lone AO top half women's seed left, joins three first-time major quarterfinalists

When Zheng Qinwen stepped out on Rod Laver Arena Monday night to face Oceane Dodin, she was the last remaining seed left in the top half of the Australian Open women’s singles draw.

Earlier in the day, three fellows seeds in her section were eliminated – including two-time champion Victoria Azarenka. As a result, three first-time major quarterfinalists emerged, adding to the draw carnage narrative from week one.

Zheng never put herself in danger of joining that trend. After facing deuce to start the match, the No. 12 seed raced to the first seven games in a comprehensive 6-0, 6-3 display.

“At the beginning, I would feel like this was a responsibility, sometimes pressure,” Zheng told Jelena Dokic in an on-court interview about flying the flag for her nation and the expectations that come with it.

Dodin entered the clash having come through three straight-set victories thanks to her prevailing ball-striking. While she struggled to find her range, Zheng had no such problem hitting her targets. Seeing the ball well, the Chinese No. 1 closed out the first set bagel with a booming backhand return down the line, forehand down the line combo to finish with 11 winners in the set against just four unforced errors.

A hold at love finally saw Dodin get on the scoreboard. After Zheng broke for 3-1 by working her forehand to draw an error, the Frenchwoman got right back on serve with consistent deep hitting. Her glimmer of hope was short-lived, however. Zheng made it three consecutive games for the returner with her 10th forehand winner, and held off Dodin's go-for-broke returning at the end to complete the 59-minute victory.

Zheng is through to the last eight of a Grand Slam event for the second consecutive major following her US Open quarterfinal run. In New York, her bid came to the end at the hands of No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka.

“I just try to tell myself, focus on the moment. Don’t think too much,” in reiterating what Li Na told her when the two-time major winner surprised Zheng during a post-match interview Saturday.

The 21-year-old is yet to face a Top 50 opponent in Melbourne, having beaten the No. 76, No. 54, No. 94 and No. 95-ranked players, respectively. Her next challenger, Anna Kalinskaya, is currently ranked 75th.

Kalinskaya eliminated No. 26 seed Jasmine Paolini, 6-4, 6-2, conceding a single break to advance after 77 minutes.

In the top quarter, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek’s conqueror, Linda Noskova, meets qualifier Dayana Yastremska. Nosokova, 19, led Elina Svitolina 3-0 when the 19th seed unfortunately had to retire with a back injury.

Yastremska took out Azarenka, 7-6 (6), 6-4. The Ukrainian has knocked out three seeds en route to her best major showing that included ousting reigning Wimbledon title holder Marketa Vondrousova, the No. 7 seed, with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 performance in the opening round.