Serena, Henin end the Chinese dream
Source: Agencies |
January 29, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SERENA Williams and Justine Henin blasted their way into the Australian Open final yesterday, setting up a dream decider between the current and former world number ones and dashing China's hopes of a first grand slam finalist.
This tournament may be remembered as a watershed moment for Asian tennis with two Chinese making the semifinals for the first time, but a potential new world order was left on hold a little longer.
Serena used all her power and big-match experience to beat Li Na 7-6, 7-6 in an absorbing center court contest to remain on course to defend the title she won for the fourth time last year. The American was made to work much harder than she expected but the top seed was able to raise her game when she needed to.
Henin, in only her second tournament since coming out of retirement, demolished Zheng Jie 6-1, 6-0 to continue her fairytale comeback to the sport she once dominated.
Despite losing, both Li and Zheng believe their performances will inspire a new generation of players. The women had upset highly-ranked players and excited a new wave of tennis fans along the road to making history.
Li said despite her loss, it was still a good day for her tennis.
"Definitely I'm a little disappointed about losing in the semifinal, but I still believe that today was a very good day for me because I also played well," she said.
After Serena broke Li in the opening game, Li fended off a set point in the ninth game before holding, then broke the American's serve in the 10th game to level the match at 5-5.
In the tiebreaker, Serena picked up four of her last five points on unforced errors by Li and then clinched the 58-minute set with a second-service ace.
The second set went with serve, with Li fending off three match points in the 10th game and another in the 12th to force a second tiebreaker. Again, Serena dominated the tiebreaker to race to a 6-1 lead, closing with her 12th ace of the match.
Li's run to the last four at the Australian Open has propelled her into the top 10 for the first time. Her previous high was 15. Zheng has also reached No. 15 but was ranked No. 35 going into the season's first major.
Talking about rankings brought a smile to Li's face.
"Actually, for me this year the goal was top 10," she said. "But now I get it. So next, maybe top five. Step by step."
Zheng had fewer chances against Henin, losing in just 51 minutes, the shortest match of this tournament.
But Zheng remained positive, saying it wasn't that she had played poorly, just that Henin - her favorite player - was at a higher level than even before her retirement.
"I think the first set, start serve game, she not feeling so well," Zheng said. "I have two time the breakpoint, but not convert. And after this she plays super. I never have a chance. I feel I move so much faster, but she's better than me."
Chinese flags were draped in the stands at Rod Laver Arena for the consecutive matches. Tennis fans posted messages of support on the online forums.
Li said the attention on the rise of the two Chinese stars would be good for tennis at home. "It's not just a good thing for both of us, but also for the development of tennis in China," Li said. "I think for children watching in China, it might give them confidence that they can also do this one day. So, I think this is really a happy moment for tennis in China."
This tournament may be remembered as a watershed moment for Asian tennis with two Chinese making the semifinals for the first time, but a potential new world order was left on hold a little longer.
Serena used all her power and big-match experience to beat Li Na 7-6, 7-6 in an absorbing center court contest to remain on course to defend the title she won for the fourth time last year. The American was made to work much harder than she expected but the top seed was able to raise her game when she needed to.
Henin, in only her second tournament since coming out of retirement, demolished Zheng Jie 6-1, 6-0 to continue her fairytale comeback to the sport she once dominated.
Despite losing, both Li and Zheng believe their performances will inspire a new generation of players. The women had upset highly-ranked players and excited a new wave of tennis fans along the road to making history.
Li said despite her loss, it was still a good day for her tennis.
"Definitely I'm a little disappointed about losing in the semifinal, but I still believe that today was a very good day for me because I also played well," she said.
After Serena broke Li in the opening game, Li fended off a set point in the ninth game before holding, then broke the American's serve in the 10th game to level the match at 5-5.
In the tiebreaker, Serena picked up four of her last five points on unforced errors by Li and then clinched the 58-minute set with a second-service ace.
The second set went with serve, with Li fending off three match points in the 10th game and another in the 12th to force a second tiebreaker. Again, Serena dominated the tiebreaker to race to a 6-1 lead, closing with her 12th ace of the match.
Li's run to the last four at the Australian Open has propelled her into the top 10 for the first time. Her previous high was 15. Zheng has also reached No. 15 but was ranked No. 35 going into the season's first major.
Talking about rankings brought a smile to Li's face.
"Actually, for me this year the goal was top 10," she said. "But now I get it. So next, maybe top five. Step by step."
Zheng had fewer chances against Henin, losing in just 51 minutes, the shortest match of this tournament.
But Zheng remained positive, saying it wasn't that she had played poorly, just that Henin - her favorite player - was at a higher level than even before her retirement.
"I think the first set, start serve game, she not feeling so well," Zheng said. "I have two time the breakpoint, but not convert. And after this she plays super. I never have a chance. I feel I move so much faster, but she's better than me."
Chinese flags were draped in the stands at Rod Laver Arena for the consecutive matches. Tennis fans posted messages of support on the online forums.
Li said the attention on the rise of the two Chinese stars would be good for tennis at home. "It's not just a good thing for both of us, but also for the development of tennis in China," Li said. "I think for children watching in China, it might give them confidence that they can also do this one day. So, I think this is really a happy moment for tennis in China."
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