Li Na rounds off the elite field of Top-8 players for the battle in Istanbul – Tennis News
World number eight, Li Na, accomplishes the task of securing her spot in the list of Top-8 elite players who will travel to the field of Istanbul for the season-ending finale in the last week of October. She overpowered the defending
champion, Agnieszka Radwanska, in the quarter-finals of the China Open in Beijing and confirmed her place in the Istanbul draw.
The tournament will begin from October 23rd and continue until the 28th. It will be a fascinating event featuring players from all different countries battling it out for the biggest conquest of the season.
It will be an entertaining week for all the tennis fanatics who will witness eight of the best women fight it out in the field of Sinan Erdem Arena, Istanbul.
During a press conference conducted by the Women Tennis Association’s Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer, Stacey Allaster commented, “I would like to congratulate Li Na on qualifying for the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships
for the second successive year, which is an amazing accomplishment. She is one of the WTA's most popular players and will proudly represent her country. I am also thrilled that for the first time in the history of our Championships, the singles field will
feature players from all different countries, which underscores the incredible global reach of our sport and athletes.”
On accomplishing such a huge task, Li stated, “In the last two years I have played the best tennis of my career and I am excited to return to the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships again this year.” It has been a topsy turvy season
for the Chinese number one who turned 30-years-old earlier in February. However, she showed her class at her home soil and defied the odds to beat some world class athletes especially her conquest over Radwanska in straight sets was just a glimpse of what
she can do to the superior ranked players.
The list of eight players that will be seen in action include (provided no one withdraws due to an injury):
Victoria Azarenka Maria Sharapova Agnieszka Radwanska Serena Williams Petra Kvitova Angelique Kerber Sara Errani Li Na
If Li Na had failed to beat Radwanska in the quarters then there was a chance for the number one Frenchwoman, Marion Bartoli, to fill the final spot by winning the title in Beijing and Moscow. However, she stays on the back-up
list and can feature if someone withdraws.
Tags: