Li starts off with easy win at the US Open
Source: Agencies |
August 29, 2012, Wednesday
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CHINA'S Li Na began her title bid with a rain-interrupted 6-2, 6-3 victory over Britain's Heather Watson at the US Open on Monday.
The ninth seed had too much power and experience for the former US Open junior champion as she advanced to the second round following a match that was interrupted by a rain delay that lasted almost two and a half hours.
"I'm feeling a lot more confident," said Li, who lost in the finals at Montreal before winning the US$2.1 million tour stop in Cincinnati earlier this month. "I'm really happy I can win the first match. Last few years, I always lose in the first round.
"I see the schedule, I say, 'Okay, you have to do it for yourself.' I have to win the first match, otherwise same like last year, I pack and go back to airport to fly back home."
After winning the first set, the 30-year-old former French Open champion recovered from 1-3 down in the second to lead 5-3 when the rain took the players off the court.
The 20-year-old, world No. 71 Watson lost four of five points on her serve following the delay, punching a backhand into the net on match point.
Li successfully landed 75 percent of her first serves with no double faults and enjoyed a 28-10 advantage in winners to advance in one hour, 21 minutes.
"I was 10 years older than her, so I got more experience on the court," said Li. "I mean, she plays very good, but sometimes I have to show her how good I am."
Li will face Australian Casey Dellacqua in the second round. They have played three times, the last time in 2008, and Li has won each time.
"The grand slam, every match is tough match," said Li. "I have to be ready for every second." Li has a new coach in her life, Carlos Rodriguez, and her husband couldn't be happier. It's a success that meant an end to her on-off coaching relationship with husband Jiang Shan, but Li insisted that her marriage, as well as her career, have both benefitted.
"After I got a new coach I think for both me and my husband it's much easier," she said.
"Love is love; coach is coach. You have to separate. After I changed the coach, I didn't say my husband didn't do a good job. I think he's still doing good job.
"But for both sometimes it's too much, you know. Like it's really tough to find a balance between coaching and husband."
The ninth seed had too much power and experience for the former US Open junior champion as she advanced to the second round following a match that was interrupted by a rain delay that lasted almost two and a half hours.
"I'm feeling a lot more confident," said Li, who lost in the finals at Montreal before winning the US$2.1 million tour stop in Cincinnati earlier this month. "I'm really happy I can win the first match. Last few years, I always lose in the first round.
"I see the schedule, I say, 'Okay, you have to do it for yourself.' I have to win the first match, otherwise same like last year, I pack and go back to airport to fly back home."
After winning the first set, the 30-year-old former French Open champion recovered from 1-3 down in the second to lead 5-3 when the rain took the players off the court.
The 20-year-old, world No. 71 Watson lost four of five points on her serve following the delay, punching a backhand into the net on match point.
Li successfully landed 75 percent of her first serves with no double faults and enjoyed a 28-10 advantage in winners to advance in one hour, 21 minutes.
"I was 10 years older than her, so I got more experience on the court," said Li. "I mean, she plays very good, but sometimes I have to show her how good I am."
Li will face Australian Casey Dellacqua in the second round. They have played three times, the last time in 2008, and Li has won each time.
"The grand slam, every match is tough match," said Li. "I have to be ready for every second." Li has a new coach in her life, Carlos Rodriguez, and her husband couldn't be happier. It's a success that meant an end to her on-off coaching relationship with husband Jiang Shan, but Li insisted that her marriage, as well as her career, have both benefitted.
"After I got a new coach I think for both me and my husband it's much easier," she said.
"Love is love; coach is coach. You have to separate. After I changed the coach, I didn't say my husband didn't do a good job. I think he's still doing good job.
"But for both sometimes it's too much, you know. Like it's really tough to find a balance between coaching and husband."
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