Li Na beats two players in a day to reach the semis – Western and Southern Open 2012
World number nine, Li Na, firstly dumped the 90th ranked Swede qualifier, Johanna Larsson, in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to book a late night clash with the top seed Pole star, Agnieszka Radwanska. Without any trouble, the
number one Chinese dumped the in-form world number three, Radwanska, in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 to reach the semi-final stage of the Western and Southern Open. Both these matches were played on the eve of Friday, lasting 64 minutes and 70 minutes respectively.
Li commented: "Of course I was tired but in my mind I was feeling strong, and I felt I could win both matches. I did the same in Montréal last week, same schedule, so I was confident I could do it again. But right now I really
just want to sleep!"
Radwanska commented about Li Na, "I think she's really on fire. She's really playing great tennis right now. I haven't played my best these two weeks for sure, but she has played really well. Even when she plays two matches in
one day she's great."
Li broke serve twice in the opening set against Johansson to take a resounding lead of 5-1. She just allowed another serve hold for the Swede before gobbling up the opening set triumph.
First four games of the second set went by without any breakpoint but the Chinese star found an opening and broke serve twice in succession for the second time in the match to win the encounter.
Later in the day, the 30-year-old Chinese locked horns against the Pole and won four breakpoints on the trot while losing just one serve game on the other hand to win the opening set. She was a lot better in the second set and
broke serve twice to claim the second tough victory of the day.
It was a tremendous performance for someone who is already aging very fast and squashing out of the limelight due to dismal runs.
Li Na plays Venus Williams in the battle for a spot in the final showdown. It will be an epic battle to say the least considering the outstanding run of form of two oldies.
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