ISTANBUL: Li Na outlasted former doubles partner Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 Thursday for her second victory at the WTA Championships.
The key to the error-filled match full of long rallies was Li’s break of serve in the third set for a 4-3 lead. Jankovic hit a backhand into the net on Li’s second match point.
Eight-seeded Angelique Kerber upset No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2 to remain in contention for the semifinals. Radwanska (0-3) was eliminated in the round-robin tournament that features the top eight players in the world. The top two finishers in each pool advance to the semifinals.
Kerber (1-1) earned her first win at the elite event after going 0-3 last year.
The fourth-seeded Li has a 2-0 record in the White Group and looks likely to advance to the semifinals for the first time. Seventh-seeded Jankovic is 1-1.
Jankovic is back in the tournament for the first time in three years. Victoria Azarenka also is vying to make the semis from the group.
”It was tight, yeah, but at least it’s better than the last two years,” Li said. ”Playing Jelena is always tough, today I was running a lot, forward and backward.
”She was a No. 1, so she has the level to be (in) the top 10. She has more confidence now,” the Chinese added. (AFP)