Na Li cripples Jie Zheng to reach the fourth round – BNP Paribas Open 2012
In an all-Chinese duel, eighth seed Na Li stomped over Jie Zheng with a breadstick at the BNP Paribas Open 2012 on Sunday. She jolted down a 6-1, 6-3 victory over her 31st seeded compatriot to secure a spot in the round of 16 at this hard court
tournament taking place from 5th to 18th March in Indian Wells.
The world number eight, Li showed top notch performance to shock Zheng for the first time in their fifth outing. The contestants previously battled each other at the Estoril clay court event six years ago and after plucking this match, Li lowered the trail
in the head-to-head series by 1-4 against her fellow citizen.
"It's always tough to play a player from the same country because we know each other a lot," an elated Li was quoted after the match. "We used to be in the national teams together, practicing and travelling together all the time. So it was tough to play
against her, but I'm so happy because it was the first time I beat her. The last time we played was six years ago, so, you know, six years can change many things. I tried not to think about our other matches. You just have to play - it doesn't matter."
The higher ranked Chinese thundered into the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and drew the desiderated break in the opening game. Apart from losing her serve in the very next game, she maintained her intensity and stroke out the following five games in a row,
ultimately pocketing a breadstick.
Li carried her winning ways in the follow-up set and leaped to 3-0 with a break of serve. In spite of losing her edge in the fifth game, she held her composure and cashed in her second break chance in the eighth game, consequently clinching the set with
a 6-3 score line.
The higher ranked Chinese broke Zheng’s serve six times and dominated throughout the match.
As a result, the winning Chinese advanced into the fourth round where Czech Republic’s Klara Zakopalova awaits her. The Czech starlet got a walkover from the ninth seed, Vera Zvonareva of Russia.
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