Net's the way to go for born-again Li
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 4, 2013
|
|
|
Li Na returns a ball to Agnieszka Radwanska in Wimbledon quarterfinals. |
Li Na confessed she is a convert to serve-and-volley tennis and has vowed to take her new-found skills at the net with her into the US hardcourt season.
The Chinese No. 1 tried out the tactics at Wimbledon and though it did not get her into the semifinals, the 31-year-old is keen to prove she can mix it with the best of them in the dying art.
The 2011 French Open champion is going to take a month off recuperating after her Wimbledon exploits, freshening up to tackle the run-up ahead of the US Open, which gets under way on August 26.
Li was beaten by Agnieszka Radwanska in an epic quarterfinal tussle on Tuesday between the highest seeds left standing at Wimbledon.
The Polish fourth seed, beaten by Serena Williams in last year's final, defeated the sixth seed 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2 in a closely-fought contest on Centre Court.
Li saw off seven match points before succumbing. Throughout, to counter Radwanska's trademark drop shots and deft play, she charged into the net 71 times, winning points 48 times in the process and mixing up her regular baseline rhythm.
The world No. 6 had worked on the plan with her coach Carlos Rodriguez, who guided Belgian former world No. 1 Justine Henin.
"I'm proud of myself, because at least I was trying to come to the net. I can now use it in important matches. So it's pretty positive," the Wuhan right-hander said, looking ahead to the rest of the season.
Li insisted it had been a good Wimbledon. In reaching the quarterfinals, she had matched her previous best, achieved in 2006 and 2010. In her last two outings at the All England Club, she had been dumped out in the second round.
"It was pretty good, really. At least better than the last two years. And also I proved a new thing, proved so many things on the court," she said. "Before I never thought I could come to the net so many times."
Li said she will be taking her new style with her on the North American hardcourt swing next month. "I think I will try to continue it on the hardcourts as well, because I feel the pace now," she said.
Li said she will have four weeks off before returning at Toronto in the build-up to the next grand slam at Flushing Meadows in New York.
"I need time for recovery," she said, adding that she had no interest in seeing who will be the new Wimbledon champion.
"I will get out of London as soon as possible. It's very tough after you lose a match to still pay attention to the tournament."
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)