Na Li enters 3rd round; beats Lucie Safarova in straight sets – Western & Southern Open 2011
Clearing the 2nd round of the Western & Southern Financial Open, Na Li, Chinese world No.5, presented another startling performance to take over her Czech rival, Lucie Safarova beating her in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. Electrifying the air at the Lindner Family Tennis Centre, Ohio, Li took less than 90 minutes to bag her Premier 5 event win.
Earning her career high at world No.4 a month back, the Chinese dropped a place but is certain to regain it back. Winning 7 out of the last 10 matches Li has been in perfect form to play the Cincinnati Open. The 2011 French Open winner is predicted as one of the successor of the tournament; nonetheless, upsets are always welcomed.
On the contrary, aged 24, Safarova has been a rising up comer and has earned a fair respect in the game. Ranked world No. 29, the Czech left-hander considered the hard trough as her strong hold until she came up against the marvellous Chinese world No.5.
The two have played each other three times before. Safarova took her win in the first fixture the two had back in 2005 where the Czech conquered the Chinese winning the Estoril Open. However, after that the world No.5 has been phenomenal. Li wrote her 3rd win against the 24-year-old winning her 2nd round of the Cincinnati Open.
Opening the first set, first game, Li served first but lost the game 1. Breaking the Chinese in game 1, the Czech then extended her lead serving in game 2, 2-0. Li opened her part of the scorecard winning game 3 and finally won her first breakpoint to level the scores at 2-2.
The two levelled once again at 3-3 with Li to serve next. Winning game 7 the Chinese world No.5 went furious breaking the Czech once again to lead 5-3. Li then served to pull off the first set winning 6-3 and onto the second.
Starting off with the second set, Safarova served and initiated the scoring, 1-0. Li followed to level the scores at 1-1, however, the game twisted twice in the set when the Czech lead the game 4-1, breaking the Chinese world No.5 in game 4.
The tables turned when Li jumpstarted her winning run. Winning game 6 followed by 5 more games, the Chinese white washed the Czech in no time. The second set win was supported by 2 breakpoints wins by the world No.5 and securing 31 points in total.
The final score card read 6-3, 6-4 with former world No.4 qualifying into the 3rdround of the Cincinnati Open 2011.
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