Li Na lifts seventh career title at Shenzhen Open

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-1-6 11:04:52

Li Na crouches and kisses the trophy after beating the fifth seed, Klara Zakopalova, from Czech 6-3 1-6 7-5 in the final of the Shenzhen Open on Saturday, January 4, 2013. Photo: icpress.cn
Li Na crouches and kisses the trophy after beating the fifth seed, Klara Zakopalova, from Czech 6-3 1-6 7-5 in the final of the Shenzhen Open on Saturday, January 4, 2013. Photo: icpress.cn

Former French Open winner Li Na bagged the seventh career title when she overcame Cezch Klara Zakopalova 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 to win the inaugural Shenzhen Open on Saturday.

The two 30-year-old battled it out in the three-set thriller where Li managed to nail the victory on her first match point.

"Today was an especially big test," said the top seed. "We've played a few times, and it's never once been an easy match. The way she plays just isn't my favorite -- she hits a particularly flat ball -- so for every point I win, I really have to able to control the tempo."

Li will then compete in next week's Sydney event as a warm-up to the Australian Open where she will try to restore her glory as a former Grand Slam winner.

Li became not just the first Chinese but the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title in 2011 in the French Open.

In the doubles final, No.1 seeds from Chinese Taipei, Chan Hao-Ching and Chan Yung-Jan, defeated unseeded Irina Buryachok of Ukraine and Valeria Solovieva from Russia 6-0, 7-5.



Posted in: Tennis

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