Li has eyes on top 10
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Li Na has set her sights on becoming China's first top 10 player after joining Zheng Jie in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Jan. 25.
Li, who along with Zheng gave China two Grand Slam quarterfinalists in the same event for the first time, upset world No 4 Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 to set up a clash with sixth-seeded American Venus Williams.
"Nothing better," a beaming Li said when asked about the achievement.
"(It's) good for us ... Because we are working so hard."
"I don't know (the goals) of other Chinese players. But for me, this year I want come (in) to the top 10."
Zheng, a surprize semifinalist at Wimbledon in 2008, beat Ukraine's Alona Bondarenkow to set up a meeting with unseeded Russian Maria Kirilenko.
World No 17 Li is currently China's top player but her career has been dogged with a variety of injuries after she became the first player from her country to crack the top 20.
However, despite those setbacks, Li can now boast quarterfinal appearances at three Grand Slams.
No fluke
The hard-hitting 27-year-old broke new ground for China when she reached the quarters at Wimbledon in 2006 and proved the achievement was no fluke by repeating the feat at Flushing Meadows last year.
Having struck a rare patch of injury-free form, Li now has a semifinal in her sights and hopes her best tennis is yet to come.
"Last year, I didn't play the Australian Open because I had knee surgery. But now (I'm) much better," she said.
"Everyone can see I was running so fast on the court. So that's why I have one physio come with me, and also (my) tennis coach and husband, so we have a big team."
Li, along with Zheng, Peng Shuai and former Australian Open doubles champion Yan Zi, manages her own team and schedule after previously being trained by China's sports system.
The four were granted leave to "fly away" by the national tennis administration at the end of 2008.
Li lifted her ranking from 23 to 15 in her first year of independence, upsetting three top 10 players and reaching two tour finals.
Her and Zheng's rises have naturally drawn interest at home, and local Chinese media was curious as to whether the two were now getting more respect from other players on the tour.
"We say 'hello'," she said.
"Anyway it's okay, there's now no-one left in the lockerroom."
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