China's Zhang Shuai celebrates after winning her fourth round match against Madison Keys of the US at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 25, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

"People might think before the tournament that I would lose for the 15th time in a Grand Slam first round and would go back to China (when the main draw started). I am so excited I am now (one of) the last eight players (remaining in the tournament)," Zhang said after beating 15th seed Madison Keys of the United States, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the women's singles fourth round on Monday.

Zhang, who even contemplated retirement after losing all 14 of her previous Grand Slam matches before arriving in Melbourne this year, fought her way into the quarterfinals with a seven-game winning streak from qualification to become the fourth Chinese to do so.

Retired two-time major winner Li Na, veteran Zheng Jie and 2014 US Open semifinalist Peng Shuai all reached the last-16 in Melbourne.