Li closes in on semis after Jankovic win
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, October 25, 2013
|
|
|
Li Na needs to take set off Victoria Azarenka to guarantee place in last four. |
Li Na is in pole position to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Championships in Istanbul after edging Jelena Jankovic in the only match from the White Group on Thursday.
The fourth seed outlasted former doubles partner Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in the first three-set match of the tournament at the Sinan Erdem Dome.
A set against Victoria Azarenka on Friday would put Li through but a straight-sets loss would leave her extremely vulnerable.
It was only a matter of weeks ago when Li routed Jankovic in the fourth round of the US Open - she won in 57 minutes, 6-3, 6-0 - but this time it was a much different story, as the two battled two hours and 11 minutes before the Chinese player came through.
The key to the error-filled match full of long rallies was Li's break of serve in the third set for a 4-3 lead. Jankovic hit a backhand into the net on Li's second match point.
"She was a No. 1, so she has the level to be (in) the top 10. She has more confidence now," Li said.
Both players struggled with consistency. Li had 45 unforced errors and 21 winners, and Jankovic produced 36 unforced errors and 17 winners.
This is Li's third time playing this event, but the first time she has won two matches - she went 1-2 in the round robin stage in 2011 and 2012, not qualifying for the semifinals in either of those years.
"Of course it was tight but at least it is better than the last two years," said the world number five. "Now I have one foot in the semis but another foot is still out of the door. If I lose easy tomorrow, I already maybe have no chance. So I still have to fight tomorrow."
Li is now 2-0 in the White Group, while Jankovic and Victoria Azarenka are 1-1, and Sara Errani 0-2.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)