“Is it real?” Tearful Zhu stuns sixth seed Sakkari in Melbourne

Sixth seed Maria Sakkari, who was ranked sixth in the Australian Open, was knocked out 7-6 (7/3), 1-1, 6-4 by Zhu Lin of China.

Zhu, who will turn 29 on Saturday’s women’s final singles day, has been entered into the last 16 along with Victoria Azarenka (former champion).

Zhu had lost all seven previous encounters against top-10 opponents.

You wouldn’t know it from a late-night encounter at Margaret Court Arena, which went beyond midnight and, fittingly enough, into Chinese New Year’s Eve.

Underdog Zhu celebrated the Year of the Rabbit winning the first set in a tiebreak.

Sakkari lost the second, but Zhu rallied to win the Grand Slam’s biggest win and burst into tears.

Is this real? Are you dreaming? She sobbed.

Looking at her team, she said, “Thanks, my team, for pushing me every single day,” and then looked to her box.

“It’s not difficult to believe that I can be at this high level of play and I need to put in the work every day.

“And, yes, who knows what’s about to happen?” You will never know.”

The Chinese player, who had never reached the second round at Melbourne Park or any other Slam before, now faces Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 champions.

To reach the fourth round, the 24th seed from Belarus beat Madison Keys, the American 10th seed, 1-6, 6-1, and 6-2 to reach the second consecutive year.

dh/pst