By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Pumped up: Na Li saw off Maria Sharapova in straight sets
Li Na reached her second successive grand slam final with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Maria Sharapova at the French Open.
The sixth seed, who lost to Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open, took advantage of Sharapova's serving struggles to add the Russian to an impressive list of scalps in Paris, including Petra Kvitova and title favourite Victoria Azarenka.
Li had won their last two meetings but the most recent of those came on grass at Edgbaston last year and Sharapova certainly went in as the favourite after thrashing Andrea Petkovic in the quarter-finals.
Both players list clay as their least favourite surface, with the Russian once famously describing her movement on the red stuff as like a cow on ice, but she has grown in confidence this week.
She did almost come a cropper in the second round, though, trailing French teenager Caroline Garcia by a set and 4-1 before mounting one of her trademark comebacks.
A stretch too far: Sharapova had been in fine form coming into the semi-final
The swirling wind had affected Sharapova that day and conditions were very similar here, which was certainly a factor in Li winning the opening three games.
The seventh seed pegged her back to 4-3 and then 5-4 but she could not hold onto her serve, throwing in five double-faults in the set and missing a simple forehand on set point.
New ground: Li Na will contest her second Grand Slam final
Sharapova seemed to have turned things around with an early break in the second set but her serving demons were never far away and a seventh double-fault helped Li to level at 4-4.
The Chinese player was now firmly in the ascendancy and, with Sharapova serving to stay in the match for a second time, Li created two set points, taking the first on Sharapova's 10th double.
Poor service: Sharapova struggled with her serve throughout the semi-final clash
source: dailymail
Blog Archive
-
▼
2011
(4243)
-
▼
June
(416)
- Glum Kim Kardashian returns to LA... as Bret Lock...
- Glum Kim Kardashian returns to LA... as Bret Lock...
- 'Maternity leave - what's that?' Victoria Beckham ...
- 'Maternity leave - what's that?' Victoria Beckham ...
- Here come the girls: Elizabeth Hurley, Holly Valan...
- Here come the girls: Elizabeth Hurley, Holly Valan...
- The Duchess dazzles: Kate and William bring a touc...
- The Duchess dazzles: Kate and William bring a touc...
- Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger fits in purr-fect...
- Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger fits in purr-fect...
- Lillies Allen: Florists recreate portrait of singe...
- Lillies Allen: Florists recreate portrait of singe...
- Miss Netherlands Universe 2010, Desiree van den Be...
- Miss Netherlands Universe 2010, Desiree van den Be...
- Miss Universe Romania 2010, Oana Paveluc, 18
- Miss Universe Romania 2010, Oana Paveluc, 18
- Miss Universe Sweden 2010, Michaela Savic
- Miss Universe Sweden 2010, Michaela Savic
- The Duchess dazzles: Kate and William bring a touc...
- New parents Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch dote on ...
- The Queen's club: Glowing Pippa Middleton gets cau...
- The Queen's club: Glowing Pippa Middleton gets cau...
- Lillies Allen: Florists recreate portrait of singe...
- Patrick Schwarzenegger's brave face after lunching...
- Patrick Schwarzenegger's brave face after lunching...
- The Queen's club: Glowing Pippa Middleton gets cau...
- Natasha Giggs' five-a-side team: Ryan's brother's ...
- Pat down patrol: Eva Longoria and beau Eduardo Cru...
- Pat down patrol: Eva Longoria and beau Eduardo Cru...
- Katie Price shows her love for Leandro on the road...
- As Prince Philip turns 90, relive some of his most...
- As Prince Philip turns 90, relive some of his most...
- 'I see Anna Nicole Smith in everything she does,' ...
- 'I see Anna Nicole Smith in everything she does,' ...
- Walking in Kate's shoes: Pippa and Carole both opt...
- Walking in Kate's shoes: Pippa and Carole both opt...
- Katie Price shows her love for Leandro on the road...
- Katie Price shows her love for Leandro on the road...
- Miss Universe Canada 2010, Elena Semikina
- Miss Universe Canada 2010, Elena Semikina
- Miss Poland Universe 2010, Maria Nowakowska, 23
- Miss Poland Universe 2010, Maria Nowakowska, 23
- Is that Justin Bieber? America's Got Talent judges...
- Kim Kardashian doesn’t disappoint as she squeezes ...
- Kim Kardashian doesn’t disappoint as she squeezes ...
- The Apprentice 2011: Tears and tantrums galore as ...
- The Apprentice 2011: Tears and tantrums galore as ...
- Willow meet world: Pink takes baby daughter to the...
- Willow meet world: Pink takes baby daughter to the...
- Cheryl Cole slams Cowell as she declares friendshi...
- Cheryl Cole slams Cowell as she declares friendshi...
- Cellulite-free Sarah Jessica Parker proves she can...
- Cellulite-free Sarah Jessica Parker proves she can...
- Piers causes tears as he tells leader of teenage p...
- Piers causes tears as he tells leader of teenage p...
- Hat-trick! Wayne Rooney takes off his cap to revea...
- Hat-trick! Wayne Rooney takes off his cap to revea...
- Miss Mexico Universe 2010, Jimena Navarrete, 22
- Miss Mexico Universe 2010, Jimena Navarrete, 22
- Miss Philippines 2010, Maria Venus Raj, 21
- Miss Philippines 2010, Maria Venus Raj, 21
- Miss Ireland 2010, Rozanna Purcell, 19
- Miss Ireland 2010, Rozanna Purcell, 19
- Miss Venezuela 2010, Marelisa Gibson, 22
- Miss Venezuela 2010, Marelisa Gibson, 22
- Miss Universe Indonesia 2010, Qory Sandioriva
- Miss Universe Indonesia 2010, Qory Sandioriva
- Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19
- Miss Universe Hungary 2010, Babinyecz Tímea, 19
- Feeling the Heat? Justin Bieber appears uncomforta...
- Cellulite-free Sarah Jessica Parker proves she can...
- Cheryl Cole slams Cowell as she declares friendshi...
- Piers causes tears as he tells leader of teenage p...
- 'Simon's no friend of mine': Cheryl Cole slams Cow...
- 'Simon's no friend of mine': Cheryl Cole slams Cow...
- Feeling the Heat? Justin Bieber appears uncomforta...
- Feeling the Heat? Justin Bieber appears uncomforta...
- Pippa returns to the scene of her triumph: The you...
- Pippa returns to the scene of her triumph: The you...
- Curvy Carol Vorderman 'pippas' Middleton to the po...
- Curvy Carol Vorderman 'pippas' Middleton to the po...
- A new Dawn: Funnygirl Ms French looks a shadow of ...
- A new Dawn: Funnygirl Ms French looks a shadow of ...
- 'I only found out I was replacing Cheryl Cole when...
- 'I only found out I was replacing Cheryl Cole when...
- Princess for a day: Jessica Alba's daughter Honor ...
- Princess for a day: Jessica Alba's daughter Honor ...
- How Suri Cruise, five, already has a $150,000 shoe...
- How Suri Cruise, five, already has a $150,000 shoe...
- Bikini babe Christine Bleakley can't keep her hand...
- Bikini babe Christine Bleakley can't keep her hand...
- Sam Faiers and Joey Essex cuddle up as they enjoy ...
- Miss Haiti Universe 2010, Sarodj Bertin, 24
- Miss Haiti Universe 2010, Sarodj Bertin, 24
- Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas, 24
- Miss Universe Guatemala 2010, Alejandra Barillas, 24
- Miss Greece Universe 2010, Anna Prelevic, 20
- Miss Greece Universe 2010, Anna Prelevic, 20
- Miss Israel 2009, Julia Dyment
- Miss Israel 2009, Julia Dyment
-
▼
June
(416)
No comments:
Post a Comment