A New Born Star: Li Na
The Australian Open Championship was completed just a few days ago. For some fans it was just a disappointment but for many it was source of inspiration. Li Na became the first Chinese player to seal a spot in a final of Major
Tennis tournament, making it her most significant achievement up till now. History was made for Chinese and Asian Tennis when she pulled off an amazing win against the World No. 1 in the semi final. On her way to the very last stage of the tournament she
played some absolutely wonderful Tennis, competing hard against the very best in the business.
The seventh seeded Chinese star started her professional career in 1999 winning 19 ITF and 4 WTA titles. In 2006 Li Na reached the Wimbledon quarter final, making her the first Chinese player ever to do so in a Grand Slam.
She overcame the 5thseeded Russian Kuznetsova in the third round to seal a breakthrough win and then went on to win against the 10th seeded Nicole Vaidisova in the fourth round to claim a place in the quarter final. The amiable Li Na
worked her magic again in 2009 US Open and 2010 Wimbledon making her way to the quarter finals of both Grand Slams.
However, Li Na’s best performances came in 2011, she started the year with Hong Kong Tennis Classic where she got the better of 7 times Grand Slam Champion, Venus Williams. Li then took part in 2011 Medibank International Sydney.
She played a hard fought match against the French Virginie Razzano in the second round. In the quarter final she defeated two times Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and then pulled out an amazing performance to devastate Kim Clijsters 7-6, 6-3 in the
final.
At the Australian Open 2011, smart Li Na thrashed No. 8 seed Victoria Azarenka in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in the fourth round and then comfortably moved to into the semi final to destroy the No. 1 seed Caroline Wozniack in the semi-final.
It is a remarkable achievement especially when no one expected her to do so well at such a big stage.
Li’s post match interview was also as exciting as her play in the match. “Maybe many young players or children will see (me),'' Li said, "and think 'Maybe one day we can do the same or even better than her.'"
In the final Li fought hard but Kim Clijsters eventually came out victorious. But nothing stopped her from climbing into the hearts of Tennis fans in China and rest of the world. The Chinese No.1 set a new bench mark for Chinese
sports and has already been described as the pioneer and a national sports hero in Chinese newspapers. Li’s splendid victory in the semi final will open a lot of doors for Tennis in Asia and boost the popularity of the sport. As she hoped, her achievements
will definitely inspire more youngsters to follow in her footsteps.
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