Li Na not happy with the free passage she received to Rome Final – Tennis News
Chinese number one, Li Na, received a walkover win against the former world number one, Serena Williams, who was forced to pull out from the tournament due to a lower back injury. As a result, she automatically secured a title-round place at the Internazionali
BNL D’Italia 2012, a WTA Premier Five event taking place in Rome, Italy.
The American veteran, Williams, stated in a press conference on Saturday that she is withdrawing from the tournament due to a low back injury.
The 30-year-old said in a social networking site, “Everyone. I'm soooo sad and sorry I had to pull out of what has become my favourite tournament in Rome. Everyone has become so nice here in Rome and the tournament Director is amazing. I will be here next
year for sure.”
After hearing the news, the beaming Li was excited to secure a final berth but is not delighted with the way she reached there. She is also worried about the American number one and is hoping that she recovers soon.
"Of course I'm happy to reach the final but I don't like winning like that," the jubilant Chinese commented after hearing the news. "I am so sorry for Serena and hope she gets healthy."
Seeded eighth in the tournament, Li trashed her entire rivals without losing a set. She downed Czech Republic’s Iveta Benesova with a breadstick. She then triumphed over the South African number one, Chanelle Scheepers, in straight sets before crippling
the 14th seed, Dominika Cibulkova, with a breadstick in the quarter-finals.
Williams on the other side has joined the long list of retired players from the tournament. The world number one, Victoria Azarenka, and the Danish ace, Caroline Wozniacki, were forced to pull out from Foro Italico due to injuries and illness. The top Belarusian
suffered a shoulder injury after triumphing over Israel’s Shahar Peer while Wozniacki withdrew during her match against Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues due to upper respiratory illness.
The Roland Garros titlist, Li Na will square-off against the conqueror of the match between the former world number one, Maria Sharapova, and the 12th seed, Angelique Kerber.
Tags: