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Li, Serena sail through in Beijing
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Li Na said she was enjoying her most consistent season ever after she won her first match at the China Open yesterday, joining top seed Serena Williams in the second round.
The Chinese star opened her bid for her biggest title on home soil in stunning fashion by winning every game in the first set against Daniela Hantuchova, much to the enjoyment of her fans at Beijing’s National Tennis Centre.
But the world No. 4 had to overcome a late surge from her Slovakian opponent which sent jitters through the home crowd.
Hantuchova did not get on the scoreboard until the hour mark, with the 2011 French Open singles champion cruising at 4-0 in the second set and seemingly in command.
The 30-year-old, who has beaten Li four times in their previous six meetings, then staged an impressive comeback until Li regained her composure to win it, 6-0, 6-4.
The Chinese star has faced scrutiny in the past for seemingly breaking down in matches. She blamed herself for losing her US Open semi-final this month after being overwhelmed by the occasion.
But the 31-year-old said her only problem in Beijing could be that she was too relaxed this year, following a strong season which has also brought a seventh career title, her second Australian Open final and a strong run at Wimbledon.
“I think I had a pretty good match until I was 4-0 up in the second set, and then I thought ‘OK, maybe I should relax a little’,” Li told reporters.
“But at this level you cannot do this,” she added. “It just gives the opponent time to take their chance.”
Li also said she was not under pressure to perform in Beijing, adding: “I think this season I am having the most consistent performances of my career.”
Li has twice reached the semi-finals at the prestigious Beijing event without being able to go all the way. She has won twice in China, in Shenzhen this year and in Guangzhou in 2004.
Joining her in the second round is top seed and 2004 champion Williams. The American claimed a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Russia’s Elena Vesnina.
Another former champion, Agnieszka Radwanska, overcome early tournament nerves to cruise through to the next stage.
The Polish world No. 4 and 2011 winner in Beijing lost the opening set of her match to a feisty Stefanie Voegele, who is ranked 52 places behind her.
But the tournament’s third seed recovered her composure to seal a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory which sent her Swiss opponent out at the first hurdle.
British No. 1 Laura Robson also won her opening match in Beijing, with a three-set victory over Czech Klara Zakopolava.
But it was heartbreak for Australia’s Samantha Stosur, at the dual WTA and ATP tournament. The 15th seed lost to Czech Lucie Safarova, 5-7, 3-6.
The second day of women’s matches also saw Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi claim victory over Germany’s Julia Goerges 7-5, 6-4, and American Madison Keys defeat Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 6-3.
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