Chinese superstar Li Na overcame an unexpectedly stern test from the Polish qualifier Paula Kania to emerge a 7-5, 6-2 winner in the opening round at the Wimbledon on Monday.

Kania, the world No.183, had previously fallen in qualifying at five consecutive Slams; and this was not only her Grand Slam main draw debut, but also her Tour level main draw debut, in her 20th attempt.

Despite the gulf in experience, it was Li, playing her first match since a surprise French Open exit, that started more nervously, slipping an early break behind.

As the contest went on, though, Li gradually settled into her rhythm on Centre Court, breaking back before eventually taking the set with a terrific forehand winner into the corner.

The No.2 seed continued in the ascendency in the second, breaking four more times to canter into a second round meeting with Yvonne Meusburger.

"When you come onto the court, there is always some tension," Li said. "Also, it doesn't matter how you play in practice, when you come to the match you still feel nervous. It doesn't matter how long you've been on the tour because you never know what will happen in the first match in a major."

"So even today I was a little bit down in the first set. But I said to myself, 'Okay, just keep going, otherwise it will turn out like the French Open!'"

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