Li Na Advances to Quarters of China Open

October 2, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Li_Na

China’s Li Na took another step closer to claiming her first major tournament on home soil, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2013 China Open Wednesday after defeating Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki 7-5, 6-4 in Beijing. 

"I was very glad to see that no matter how the score went on the court, I can stay calm and control the match," said Li. The world number five drew loud applause within the first five minutes after she broke Lisicki’s serve with the first game of the match.

In the quarterfinals, Li will face Petra Kvitova, a 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 winner over Sara Errani. Also advancing was world number four Agnieszka Radwanska a 6-3, 6-2 winner on Wednesday over American teenager Madison Keys. Radwanska, a previous winner in Beijing in 2011, had defeated Keys at Wimbledon in the summer, and praised her opponent after their meeting.

"I think she’s one of the youngest talented players coming out," said Radwanska. "I think in a couple of years we are going to see her more often, definitely."

Radwanska will next face Polona Hercog, a 6-4, 6-4 straight sets winner in a big upset over Ana Ivanovic. Hercog’s win against the 14th-ranked Ivanovic was her equal-second best career win, topped by her win over a then number seven-ranked Marion Bartoli in Charleston last year and a win over then-14th-ranked Kirsten Flipkens at Québec City a few weeks back.

"It was a big challenge for me to go out there on a big court and play against Ana Ivanovic, and I’m just really happy the way it turned out," Hercog said. "It’s probably one of the biggest victories for me. I beat Bartoli before when she was top 10, but Ana is on her way back so it’s a very big win for me."


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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