Li looks to finish the job down under this year
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, January 9, 2014
|
|
|
Li Na holds her champion trophy after winning women's singles final of the WTA 2014 Shenzhen Open tennis tournament in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, Jan 4, 2014. |
Li Na blacked out during last year's Australian Open final and in 2012 she departed in floods of tears. Now she may feel that, finally, her time has come.
The season's first Grand Slam has been a love-hate affair for the Chinese star, a popular figure at Melbourne Park who has twice made the final without winning.
But ongoing improvement under coach Carlos Rodriguez has put Li, who turns 32 next month, in a strong position to make the trophy hers.
Li, currently ranked fourth in the world, ended 2013 at a career-high three following her runner-up finish to Serena Williams at the season-ending WTA Championships.
She approaches the Australian Open in good form after starting the year with victory at the Shenzhen Open, beating compatriot Peng Shuai in the final.
Li will now feel confident about facing anyone — except perhaps Williams, against whom she tried an unusual tactic in the WTA Championships final in October.
"Yeah, don't look at her at all, you know," she said.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)