Li Na advances in Madrid Open

MADRID - China's Li Na sailed to the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday night after clinching a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over Silvia Soler-Espinosa.

Li Na of China celebrates winning a point against Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain after their women's singles match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament May 7, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

The world number eight showed no mercy to the Spaniard, breaking her serve twice in the first set and winning six consecutive games to wrap up her win in just over an hour, a good thing given that the game had not started until 10pm local time.

"I just have to follow by, but the three matches before were so tough that I couldn't do anything, I only had to follow the schedule. I would like to say that I wasn't feeling bad, I was still happy with the way I played on court," Li Na told Xinhua.

She discussed the controversial blue beaten clay playing surface, which is being used for the first time in a major competition

"For me it is not difficult, but it is a different color, it is the first time we have played blue clay, before we always played on red clay and we are not used to it, but after you have been here for two or three days, its not that different and you get used to it. The first time I saw it, it looked like a swimming pool...I was a little bit surprised," she admitted.

Li Na's win this Monday sets up a last 16 tie against German number 12 seed, Angelique Kerber, who recently defeated her in Indian Wells.

Li Na admitted the tie game her the chance to avenge that defeat.

"I would like to say it was a good match in Indian Wells, the next round is another challenge, but right now, I don't even think about it. I will have a day off tomorrow, prepare for practice and then be ready for the next round," she concluded.