Australian Open 2024: Zheng Qinwen & Dayana Yastremska aim for Melbourne final

Either Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska or Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen will become a Grand Slam finalist at the Australian Open this weekend.

The pair meet in Thursday’s second semi-final, already knowing if defending champion Aryna Sabalenka or US Open winner Coco Gauff – who play at 19:30 local time (08:30 GMT) – awaits.

BBC Sport introduces the two women who have a shot at a surprise triumph.

Dayana Yastremska – the qualifier who could match Raducanu

Age: 23 Nationality: Ukraine World ranking: 93

Seeded players fell regularly early on in the women’s draw – and Yastremska was responsible for taking out three of the top 32.

Now, after sweeping past Czech teenager Linda Noskova, she is the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Emma Raducanu, who famously went on to win the 2021 US Open.

What Raducanu achieved is unparalleled. Yastremska is two wins away from matching it.

When Yastremska arrived in Melbourne, she was only thinking about coming through three qualifying rounds to reach the main draw.

“I was working on some things that are a little bit personal. It was more associating with my head and with the way I feel on court,” she said.

“I was just trying to enjoy playing here.”

Unlike Raducanu in New York, Yastremska already has pedigree on the WTA Tour.

She reached a career-high 21st in the world in January 2020 but a six-month provisional ban for a failed doping test – which was later lifted – and the effects of the war in her country saw her drop down the rankings.

“A lot of things affected me, and because of that I couldn’t really play like I wanted,” she said.

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Yastremska and her 15-year-old sister – who are from the port city of Odesa, which has been targeted by missiles – slept in an underground car park for two nights before the pair fled to France.

For several months they travelled together to WTA events around the world as their parents remained back home.

While her father does not leave Ukraine regularly, Yastremska’s mother Maryna is accompanying her on the road and has been a calming presence in Melbourne.

Yastremska says they have a “better relationship than before” and enjoy spending “a lot of time” off the court together.

She says she has an interest in “modelling, fashion, philosophy” and also plans to release a song next month.

“It’s not just mine. It’s gonna be three of us, from three different countries, who got together,” she said.

“I’m not going to talk much about it. You’re going to hear it soon, I hope.”

Zheng Qinwen – the seed aiming to follow Li Na

Age: 21 Nationality: China World ranking: 15

While Yastremska is aiming to match Raducanu, there is another famous moment in tennis history which Zheng is hoping to emulate.

Ten years ago, trailblazing Chinese star Li Na won the 2014 Australian Open and it would be fitting if Zheng marked the notable anniversary with her own triumph.

Zheng – an aggressive baseliner with a hefty serve – is aiming to follow in Li’s footsteps by becoming only the second Chinese woman to win the title.

After her third-round win, there was a wholesome moment which could provide added inspiration for Zheng.

During her post-match media duties, she was standing in front of a camera when former world number two Li sneaked up and playfully tapped her.

Zheng, who say she has watched Li’s famous Melbourne victory “more than 10 times”, revealed it was the first time she had properly met her idol.

“She said to me ‘don’t think too much, just keep simple’,” said Zheng, who lives and trains in Barcelona.

“That’s what I’m trying to do. If you really focus on the basics, you will show good things in the tennis.”

Like Yastremska, Zheng also likes to sing – especially when she is winning.

After winning the WTA title in Zhengzhou last season, Zheng celebrated by picking up the microphone and serenading the jubilant home fans.

She also lists karaoke as one of her favourite things to do away from tennis, revealing in Melbourne that her choice of song depends on whether she is singing in Chinese, English or Spanish.

In English, her go-to track is Eminem and Rihanna’s ‘Love The Way You Lie’. “For Chinese it’s difficult to pick,” she says.

While Zheng or Yastremska lifting the Australian Open trophy on Saturday will still be considered a shock, it may not be too surprising if they mark it with a impromptu singalong.