Reality check as China players all out

With two other women — No 64 Wang Yafan and veteran Zhang Shuai — also losing earlier on Thursday, all the Chinese players in the men's and women's singles draws have been eliminated before the third round at the Melbourne Park, tying three previous occasions (2006,2018 and 2021) to mark the country's worst collective outing at the season-opening Slam.

Boasting a supportive local Chinese community, geographic proximity to their home country and little time difference, the Aussie Open has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for Chinese players, who've reached at least the quarterfinal stage there six times with retired legend Li Na lifting the women's singles trophy in 2014.

As the oldest among all Chinese aces this year in Melbourne, Zhang, a 36-year-old two-time singles major quarterfinalist, encouraged her compatriots to walk away with their heads held up.

"I still feel proud of myself to be able to qualify for singles at the Grand Slam at my age and to win a match," Zhang said after losing to Kazakhstan's 24th seed Yulia Putintseva in straight sets in a singles second round match on Thursday.

"I think everyone should also leave with a positive mindset even we all crashed out in the second round," said Zhang, who's reached the round of 32 in women's doubles with French partner Kristina Mladenovic.

"Let's enjoy some fun in Melbourne, have some decent food and then move on."