Li Na faces Radwanska, Isner upset in Sydney
Source: Agencies |
January 10, 2013, Thursday
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AMERICAN qualifier Ryan Harrison upstaged his top-seeded countryman John Isner 6-4, 6-4 in a second-round match at the Sydney International yesterday but fourth-seeded Li Na of China beat American qualifier Madison Keys 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 to advance to today's semifinal against top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska.
Li said she was surprised by the power and big serve displayed by Keys, who Li predicted would rapidly improve on her ranking of 135. If she plays a level like this every match she should be soon, top 20, top 15, top 10," Li said. "I got the information she had a big serve but did not think it would be like it was today."
Li won Sydney in 2011 and was runner-up to Victoria Azarenka last year.
"Maybe it's a lucky area for me," Li said.
The exit of Isner, who was promoted to the No. 1 seeding after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet withdrew, followed two more injury withdrawals: No. 2 and 2011 Sydney champion Giles Simon (neck) and No. 6 Radek Stepanek (back).
Isner, who withdrew from the Hopman Cup in Perth last week with a right knee injury, lasted 71 minutes against No. 64-ranked Harrison.
The Australian Open starts on Monday.
In other matches, third-seeded Andreas Seppi of Italy beat John Millman of Australia 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, Australian Bernard Tomic, who beat No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic last week at the Hopman Cup, advanced with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over fifth-seeded Florian Mayer of Germany, and Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan beat fourth-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-3, 6-3.
In the women's draw, Radwanska of Poland advanced to the semifinals with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Roberta Vinci of Italy, and Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia beat third-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 6-2, 6-1.
After winning the WTA event in Auckland last week, Radwanska has a seven-match winning streak this season.
"So far I feel good and I'm very happy that I can play good matches, already seven in a row," Radwanska said. "I think this year is the first time that I played two tournaments before (the Australian Open). I never did that before. So far it's good and I'm going to keep going."
Runner-up to Serena Williams in last year's Wimbledon final, Radwanska is confident she can take the next step in 2013.
"For sure I really have more confidence that I can be in the final of a grand slam and I can win it as well," she said.
Li said she was surprised by the power and big serve displayed by Keys, who Li predicted would rapidly improve on her ranking of 135. If she plays a level like this every match she should be soon, top 20, top 15, top 10," Li said. "I got the information she had a big serve but did not think it would be like it was today."
Li won Sydney in 2011 and was runner-up to Victoria Azarenka last year.
"Maybe it's a lucky area for me," Li said.
The exit of Isner, who was promoted to the No. 1 seeding after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet withdrew, followed two more injury withdrawals: No. 2 and 2011 Sydney champion Giles Simon (neck) and No. 6 Radek Stepanek (back).
Isner, who withdrew from the Hopman Cup in Perth last week with a right knee injury, lasted 71 minutes against No. 64-ranked Harrison.
The Australian Open starts on Monday.
In other matches, third-seeded Andreas Seppi of Italy beat John Millman of Australia 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, Australian Bernard Tomic, who beat No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic last week at the Hopman Cup, advanced with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over fifth-seeded Florian Mayer of Germany, and Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan beat fourth-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-3, 6-3.
In the women's draw, Radwanska of Poland advanced to the semifinals with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Roberta Vinci of Italy, and Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia beat third-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 6-2, 6-1.
After winning the WTA event in Auckland last week, Radwanska has a seven-match winning streak this season.
"So far I feel good and I'm very happy that I can play good matches, already seven in a row," Radwanska said. "I think this year is the first time that I played two tournaments before (the Australian Open). I never did that before. So far it's good and I'm going to keep going."
Runner-up to Serena Williams in last year's Wimbledon final, Radwanska is confident she can take the next step in 2013.
"For sure I really have more confidence that I can be in the final of a grand slam and I can win it as well," she said.
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