Li will lead China at Hopman tourney
Source: Agencies |
August 19, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FRENCH Open champion Li Na will lead China's first foray into the mixed team Hopman Cup in Australia at the start of next season, organizers said yesterday.
The women's world number five will be paired with 19-year-old Wu Di, who is ranked 422 in the world, for the December 31 to January 7 tournament in Perth.
Wu's ranking is a reflection of the inability of China's men to emulate the success of their female compatriots.
China has never been represented in the main draw at the tournament, losing to the Dutch in a preliminary playoff in 2006.
"I'm happy to be playing Hopman Cup for the first time," said Li. "I've heard many good things about the tournament and the city. I hope we can do well, and in the remainder of the Australian season."
Li, Asia's first grand slam singles champion, enjoyed a storming start to this season in Australia by winning the Sydney International title and finishing runner-up at the Australian Open.
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will be playing with men's world number nine Tomas Berdych in a strong Czech Republic team.
Lleyton Hewitt will represent Australia for the sixth time, pairing up with Jarmila Gajdosova in the hopes of winning the title for the hosts for the first time since 1999.
"I'm really excited to be heading back to Perth for the Hopman Cup in January," said the former world number one.
"I'm looking forward to being 100 percent fit, and for me the Hopman Cup is a great start to the year."
The US won last year.
The women's world number five will be paired with 19-year-old Wu Di, who is ranked 422 in the world, for the December 31 to January 7 tournament in Perth.
Wu's ranking is a reflection of the inability of China's men to emulate the success of their female compatriots.
China has never been represented in the main draw at the tournament, losing to the Dutch in a preliminary playoff in 2006.
"I'm happy to be playing Hopman Cup for the first time," said Li. "I've heard many good things about the tournament and the city. I hope we can do well, and in the remainder of the Australian season."
Li, Asia's first grand slam singles champion, enjoyed a storming start to this season in Australia by winning the Sydney International title and finishing runner-up at the Australian Open.
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will be playing with men's world number nine Tomas Berdych in a strong Czech Republic team.
Lleyton Hewitt will represent Australia for the sixth time, pairing up with Jarmila Gajdosova in the hopes of winning the title for the hosts for the first time since 1999.
"I'm really excited to be heading back to Perth for the Hopman Cup in January," said the former world number one.
"I'm looking forward to being 100 percent fit, and for me the Hopman Cup is a great start to the year."
The US won last year.
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