Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.
Tennis

News

Li doesn't fear Clijsters

Clijsters holds no fears for Li

01/20/2012 11:04:52 PM

China's Li Na says she has no fear of an Australian Open fourth-round clash with her conqueror in last year's final, Kim Clijsters.

The Chinese fifth seed progressed to the round-of-16 on Friday when her third-round opponent, Anabel Medina Garrigues, was forced to retire after badly rolling her ankle trailing 2-0 in the first set.

Although the Spaniard tried to play on, she could last only one more game before handing victory to Li, setting up a mouth-watering showdown with Clijsters.

Li lost last year's final - her first Grand Slam decider - to the Belgian in three sets, but said the experience she gained in winning the 2011 French Open means she can face her nemesis with confidence.

"Last year was the first time to be (in) the finals - I didn't have any experience for the Grand Slam final," Li said.

"After that match I was feeling I really can win the Grand Slam. After Australia I think doing well in the French Open (gave me confidence)."

"So, I mean, next round is not in the final, so I don't need any experience. Someone make good draw. This only I can say."

Li believes Clijsters' game is very similar to her own, and said she will not have time before the match to make any drastic adjustments to her tactics.

"I think we play the same way, like playing against a mirror," she said. "What can I do? Only one day, so I couldn't change anything. Only thing is I just try my best tennis on the court."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

You Might Also Like

Venus into quarters
Venus into quarters
Sixth seed Venus Williams has moved a step closer to a semi-final showdown with sister ...
 
 
 
 

Most Read Articles

Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Motorsport
05/27/2012 10:46:36 PM
Monaco Grand Prix winner Mark Webber described the end of Sunday's race as 'very strange' ...
 
 
Inu stars as Dogs deny Roosters
League
05/28/2012 10:54:23 AM
 
Freo's failure comes down to talent
AFL
05/27/2012 11:02:27 PM
 
Gritty Tigers do Sheens proud
League
05/27/2012 10:01:48 PM
 
Bombers look to set up season
AFL
05/28/2012 01:41:21 AM
 
Knights sign Broncos discard
League
05/28/2012 08:27:12 AM
 
Leilua charged and stood down
League
05/28/2012 04:01:25 AM
 
Sea Eagles to accept Matai's ban
League
05/28/2012 05:41:32 AM
 
 
 

Your Say

Galleries

The Weekend That Was
28/05/2012 1:40:06 PM
Take a look back at all the weekend sport from around the world. We have it all covered from AFL to Baseball to Barefoot Running and even some Sailing. So take some time off and look back at what you might have missed.
2012 Australian Open: Final
30/01/2012 1:05:03 PM
Victoria Azarenka claimed her first ever Grand Slam title while Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal produced one of the most remarkable tennis matches of all time.