Due to both skill and luck,

China's top tennis players Zheng Jie and Li Na have made it to the second round of the WTA German Open.  

 

Zheng Jie, who crowned in Estoril two days ago, beat 13-seeded Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy 7-6(4), 6-2.

 

Meanwhile, Li Na who had to retire at the beginning of the third set due to heat exhaustion in Estoril, experienced a reversal of fortune when No.12-seeded Ana Ivanovic retired after straining her left hamstring.

 

Li, China's No.2, surged up nine spots in the rankings to No.61 after appearing at Estoril—the third singles final of her career and first competition of 2006. 

 

In other matches, former world champion Martina Higgis beat Italy's Flavia Pennetta, avenging a loss she suffered during her comeback tour last January.

 

Higgis defeated Pennetta 7-5, 6-3.

 

(CRI May 10, 2006)