Taiwan’s Hsieh makes history by sweeping into Australian Open quarters

FILE – Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei reacts during her women’s singles first round tennis match against Austria’s Barbara Haas on Day 2 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)

Taiwan veteran Hsieh Su-wei swept into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal after 16 years of trying Sunday, becoming the oldest player to make a last-eight debut in the Open Era.

The 35-year-old overwhelmed Czech Marketa Vondrousova, a player 14 years her junior, in the Australian Open fourth round on a Margaret Court Arena devoid of fans to witness her feat.

Hsieh got a early break in the opening set and never looked troubled in 6-4, 6-2 win over the 19th seed, a player she also toppled in an Abu Dhabi warm-up event in January.

It set up a last-eight clash against either third seed Naomi Osaka or two-time Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza.

“It was a little bit strange with the crowd, but a great win,” she said.

Hsieh, by far the least decorated player left in her side of the draw, had already shown her mettle by beating 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu en route to meeting Vondrousova.

She made her Grand Slam debut in 2005 but had never gone beyond the fourth round before in 37 previous attempts.