Mattek-Sands pulls off Li stunner in Paris
Source: Agencies |
May 31, 2013, Friday
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CHINA'S only grand slam singles champion Li Na was bundled out of the French Open by American Bethanie Mattek-Sands yesterday, losing a rain-interrupted match 7-5, 3-6, 2-6.
Sixth seed Li, who became a flagbearer for Asian tennis in 2011 when she won the French Open, edged the first set but after two lengthy rain breaks her game fell apart at Roland Garros.
Mattek-Sands, wearing knee-high black socks, resumed after the second interruption 4-3 ahead in the second set and then reeled off seven games in a row. Li eventually stopped the rot to break serve as Mattek-Sands served for the match at 5-0 and then held her own to reduce the deficit but her revival came too late.
With rain still falling and play stopped on many other courts the 66th-ranked American held her nerve and sealed victory when her opponent netted a forehand.
Earlier, former finalist Samantha Stosur and three-time semifinalist Jelena Jankovic beat the torrential rain to reach the third round.
After a one-hour, 40-minute halt had left ninth-seeded Stosur a set and 4-1 up on France's Kristina Mladenovic, the Australian then took advantage of a 20-minute window on their return to Court Philippe Chatrier to complete a 6-4, 6-3 win.
The 2011 US Open champion will face Serbian 18th seed Jankovic for a place in the last 16.
Jankovic, a semifinalist in 2007, 2008 and 2010, beat Spain's Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-0.
"I think she's a great up and coming player. She hits the ball very hard, very flat," said Jankovic of her opponent. "And especially in the beginning of the match she gave me a lot of trouble."
However, there was some cheer for China as Zheng Jie reached the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Melanie Oudin of the United States.
Kazakh 27th seed Yaroslava Shvedova, who made the quarterfinals last year, was knocked out by Argentine qualifier Paula Ormaechea, 4-6, 6-7 (6). Ormaechea will face Mattek-Sands for a spot in the last 16.
German men's 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber reached the third round without hitting a ball when Chinese Taipei opponent Lu Yen-hsun withdrew with an ankle injury.
Also, Grigor Dimitrov geared up for a possible third-round clash with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic with a 6-1 7-6 (4) 6-1 dismissal of French teenager Lucas Pouille.
The Bulgarian 26th seed, who beat Djokovic in the second round of the claycourt Madrid Masters earlier this month, had too much in store for his opponent, who bowed out after sending a forehand into the net.
Dimitrov, 22, had done most of the job before the first of two rain interruptions. He finished it off in ruthless style, moving Pouille left and right with great authority.
Sixth seed Li, who became a flagbearer for Asian tennis in 2011 when she won the French Open, edged the first set but after two lengthy rain breaks her game fell apart at Roland Garros.
Mattek-Sands, wearing knee-high black socks, resumed after the second interruption 4-3 ahead in the second set and then reeled off seven games in a row. Li eventually stopped the rot to break serve as Mattek-Sands served for the match at 5-0 and then held her own to reduce the deficit but her revival came too late.
With rain still falling and play stopped on many other courts the 66th-ranked American held her nerve and sealed victory when her opponent netted a forehand.
Earlier, former finalist Samantha Stosur and three-time semifinalist Jelena Jankovic beat the torrential rain to reach the third round.
After a one-hour, 40-minute halt had left ninth-seeded Stosur a set and 4-1 up on France's Kristina Mladenovic, the Australian then took advantage of a 20-minute window on their return to Court Philippe Chatrier to complete a 6-4, 6-3 win.
The 2011 US Open champion will face Serbian 18th seed Jankovic for a place in the last 16.
Jankovic, a semifinalist in 2007, 2008 and 2010, beat Spain's Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-0.
"I think she's a great up and coming player. She hits the ball very hard, very flat," said Jankovic of her opponent. "And especially in the beginning of the match she gave me a lot of trouble."
However, there was some cheer for China as Zheng Jie reached the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Melanie Oudin of the United States.
Kazakh 27th seed Yaroslava Shvedova, who made the quarterfinals last year, was knocked out by Argentine qualifier Paula Ormaechea, 4-6, 6-7 (6). Ormaechea will face Mattek-Sands for a spot in the last 16.
German men's 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber reached the third round without hitting a ball when Chinese Taipei opponent Lu Yen-hsun withdrew with an ankle injury.
Also, Grigor Dimitrov geared up for a possible third-round clash with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic with a 6-1 7-6 (4) 6-1 dismissal of French teenager Lucas Pouille.
The Bulgarian 26th seed, who beat Djokovic in the second round of the claycourt Madrid Masters earlier this month, had too much in store for his opponent, who bowed out after sending a forehand into the net.
Dimitrov, 22, had done most of the job before the first of two rain interruptions. He finished it off in ruthless style, moving Pouille left and right with great authority.
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