Li makes quick work of Peng to reach final
Source: AFP |
January 5, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER French Open champion Li Na cruised into the final of the Shenzhen Open with a straight sets victory in her semifinal match yesterday, putting her in pole position to claim her seventh singles title.
China's world No. 7 is the firm favorite to take the trophy today when she faces off against Czech Klara Zakopalova, who is ranked 21 places below her.
The Chinese No. 1 and top seed beat compatriot Peng Shuai 6-4, 6-0 in one hour 13 minutes to set up the final with fifth seed Zakapalova, who had earlier defeated Romanian Monica Niculescu.
Li had three aces against her 40th-ranked opponent, who made three double-faults while managing only one ace.
Zakapalova took just one hour six minutes to claim a 6-1, 6-3 victory in her semifinal.
The Shenzhen Open, carrying total prize money of US$500,000, is being played for the first time as tennis expands in China on the back of Li's huge popularity.
Li's last singles title was at the 2012 Western and Southern Open in the United States in August - her first since she became a sporting icon in her own country by winning the 2011 French Open.
In Australia, with an infected big toe and a lopsided losing record against Serena Williams, top-ranked Victoria Azarenka decided it was safest to withdraw from the Brisbane International semifinals rather than risk aggravating the injury so close to her Australian Open title defense.
Azarenka pulled out about half an hour before she was due to play world No. 3 Williams, who is on a roll after winning titles at Wimbledon, the London Olympics and the US Open.
China's world No. 7 is the firm favorite to take the trophy today when she faces off against Czech Klara Zakopalova, who is ranked 21 places below her.
The Chinese No. 1 and top seed beat compatriot Peng Shuai 6-4, 6-0 in one hour 13 minutes to set up the final with fifth seed Zakapalova, who had earlier defeated Romanian Monica Niculescu.
Li had three aces against her 40th-ranked opponent, who made three double-faults while managing only one ace.
Zakapalova took just one hour six minutes to claim a 6-1, 6-3 victory in her semifinal.
The Shenzhen Open, carrying total prize money of US$500,000, is being played for the first time as tennis expands in China on the back of Li's huge popularity.
Li's last singles title was at the 2012 Western and Southern Open in the United States in August - her first since she became a sporting icon in her own country by winning the 2011 French Open.
In Australia, with an infected big toe and a lopsided losing record against Serena Williams, top-ranked Victoria Azarenka decided it was safest to withdraw from the Brisbane International semifinals rather than risk aggravating the injury so close to her Australian Open title defense.
Azarenka pulled out about half an hour before she was due to play world No. 3 Williams, who is on a roll after winning titles at Wimbledon, the London Olympics and the US Open.
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