China

Li Na eases into Pan Pacific Open

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-01-31 10:44

China's tennis ace Li Na, who reached the Australian Open fourth round earlier this month, eased past American qualifier Lilia Osterloh 6-3, 6-2 to step into the second round of the Pan Pacific Open women's singles here on Tuesday.

China's Li Na returns the ball against Lilia Osterloh of the U.S. during women's singles first round match at the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo January 30, 2007.[Reuters]

The Chinese sixth seed, 24, attributed her win to Jiang Shan, her coach and husband, who has been working with her after her semi-final loss to Sania Mirza of India in the Asian Games in Doha in December.

"I lost to Sania easily. After that, I had five days off, so I was back to my home town and talked to my husband. The Chinese federation allowed me to have him as a coach," said Li, ranked 17th in the world.

In the second round, Li will play either Samantha Stosur of Australia or Vera Zvonareva of Russia in the same bottom quarter with Martina Hingis, to whom Li lost in the Australian Open fourth round.

"This tournament is so strong, everyone is tough, so for me, I just want to play my game. Yesterday, I hoped I can win the first round. I did that. Now I hope I can win the second round," Li said.