Zheng Jie became the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam semi-final as the wildcard claimed an historic 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Czech 18th seed Nicole Vaidisova at Wimbledon.
Zheng, the lowest ranked player left in the women's singles, was playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, but the world number 133 produced a heroic display to blow Vaidisova away in the final set.
The 24-year-old doubles specialist, who stunned top seed Ana Ivanovic in the third round, will play former two-time champion Serena Williams in the last four.
'I'm very happy to be in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. These two weeks have been the best of my life,' said Zheng.
'Nicole is a big server but she gave me lots of chances. I never thought I would be in the semi-finals. There were lots of people watching on TV in China so I knew I had to keep going.'
Li Na was the only other Chinese to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam, at Wimbledon in 2006, but she went no further.
Now Zheng, who had only won two singles matches at Wimbledon before this year, has surpassed that achievement.
Vaidisova arrived in south-west London reeling after six first round exits in her last seven tournaments, but that slump was forgotten as the 19-year-old advanced to her second successive Wimbledon quarter-final.
The Chinese hadn't dropped a set en route to the last eight and that sparkling form continued as she broke in Vaidisova's first service game before saving three break points to retain the lead.
Vaidisova, the youngest of the eight quarter-finalists, looked her tender age as Zheng scrambled to save three break points again.
Zheng was gifted the first set when Vaidisova tamely double faulted in the eighth game.
The often erratic Czech hit back to break for a 3-2 lead in the second set. A blistering backhand winner from Zheng earned a quick break back. But Vaidisova had found rhythm on her ground-strokes and broke again to take the set.
That set up a nerve-jangling decider, which perfectly suited a teak-tough competitor like Zheng.
She was scrapping for every point and gradually wore down Vaidisova. The decisive break came in the fourth game when Vaidisova sent a backhand wide.
Zheng went for the kill and broke again for a 5-1 lead before serving out the most important win of her life.
