Tennis: Li eases into Beijing’s last-16

Asia’s top female player won the match 6-1, 6-2.

BEIJING: Chinese star Li Na brushed aside in-form Nadia Petrova of Russia in straight sets to progress into the last-16 of the China Open in Beijing. Asia’s top female player Li, who needs a strong showing this week to qualify for the WTA Championships in Istanbul later this month, won the match 6-1, 6-2. “That’s the charm in playing tennis,” said Li. “Every day you can challenge yourself.” Li will play compatriot Peng Shuai in the third round of the tournament, the fourth and final compulsory event of the women’s calendar.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2012.