China
China dreams on with Asian Games tennis gold
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-15 19:43
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GUANGZHOU - China's dream of winning the tennis women's team gold edged closer to reality as top seed Li Na smashed Thailand's former Asian best Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2, 6-1 in Monday's singles at the Asian Games.
Li Na, Grand Slam semifinalist in Australia and currently world number 11, saw off the Thai opponent's challenge in an hour and 21 minutes in a tough workout with powerful baseline shots and accurate hits.
"The first set was very close. But I lost my serve in the seventh game due to the mistakes of linesmen," said the 33-year-old.
"After that, Li's had more confidence and played better to win," she added.
The two players met three times in international tournaments before, with Li Na leading 2-1 in their results.
"We are very good friends. She is quite stable. A world top ten ranking can prove her strength," Tanasugarn said, referring to Li Na.
Li's victory, together with the triumph of compatriot Peng Shuai in another singles, sent Chinese women's team into the final on Tuesday.
"I had a meeting with my coach yesterday to come up with a strategy for today's match," said Li. "But it was much easier than I expected," she added.
Chinese pair Yan Zi and Zhuang Shuai, also beat Nudnida Luangnan and Varatchaya Wongteanchai 6-2, 6-4 in the women's doubles.
Top seed China will next play defending champion Chinese Taipei to strive for women's team gold in front of home fans.
Four years ago, China's women team tasted sorrow at Doha Games as it was defeated in semifinal by Uzbekistan and failed to bag a medal.
The tennis events of Guangzhou Asian Games are scheduled from Nov 13-23, with athletes competing for seven gold medals of men's and women's singles, doubles, teams and mix doubles.