The breakout for Chinese women tennis came in 2004, when little-known duo Sun Tiantian and Li Ting snatched gold in the doubles at the Athens Olympics.

CNN: Chinese euphoria at women's double

That was before Xiang in the 110m hurdles, before Meng Guanliang and Yang Wenjun paddled their canoe to victory in the 500m, before gold went to Xing Huina in the 10, 000m, before gold to the ladies volleyball team and before Tang Li and Tian Tian Sun won the doubles tennis.

CNN: China takes the Olympic limelight