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Zheng struggles to calm Olympic nerves
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Zheng Jie is so nervous about representing China at the Olympics that she doesn't even want to think about the Beijing Games.

Zheng will have the weight of a demanding nation on her shoulders at China's first Olympics when she partners with Yan Zi in the doubles and goes for gold in the singles.

The 24-year-old knows China's success in 2004 - when Li Ting and Sun Tiantian won the doubles gold - has only heightened the expectations of similiar glory on home turf in August.

Zheng is currently competing at Wimbledon and moved into the second round, where she faces British Elena Baltacha, another wild card, after beating Slovakian 30th seed Dominika Cibulkova.

Wild card Zheng is ranked more than 100 places below Cibulkova but made a mockery of that gap with a superb display to go through 6-4, 6-3.

But her doubles partner Yan Zi lost to Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 6-0.

And the wildcard entry is thankful that the distraction of the All England Club tournament is taking her mind off the Olympics.

"It's very exciting because it's the first time in China and everyone is ready and waiting for the Olympics," Zheng said.

"But sometimes it's hard because in 2004 Li and Sun won gold medals, so maybe this year too many people are looking for another win.

"I don't want to think about it too much because for the player it is no good.

"Sometimes you can't switch off because it is four years between Olympics. Everyone wants us to win gold for the country. It's very tough.

"I'm happy for sure but sometimes you are nervous as well. I think everybody is nervous but I don't want to think about it too much."

Despite her trepidation about the Olympics, Zheng knows she has the chance to become a Chinese legend if she can take a medal, so she will skip the start of the United States hard- court season to ensure she is in peak condition for the Games.

Although success in the singles may be a long shot, Zheng, ranked 133rd in singles and 22nd in doubles, takes heart from the unity she shares with her Chinese teammates.

"In China we play as a team and that's good because you have their support," she said.

"Maybe we have a small chance in the singles. In singles no Chinese player has got to the semifinal before so if we can get a player to the last four or the quarterfinals that would be good.

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