Li looking for revenge on Radwanska

LONDON - Li Na is out for revenge over Agnieszka Radwanska in their Wimbledon fourth round clash Monday after the tricky Pole dumped her out of the championships last year.

By (AFP)

Published: Sun 27 Jun 2010, 1:44 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 9:05 AM

Li, the Chinese number one, reckons it is time to get her own back on the skilful seventh seed, saying she has to take her chance against Radwanska this time.

The 28-year-old, who was the first Chinese player to break into the world’s top 10, said she was feeling strong, fit and excited about being in the second round of a Grand Slam again.

Li reached the Australian Open semi-finals this year and is looking to do the same in southwest London, starting by getting revenge on Radwanska.

“Last year I lost to her and I don’t want to lose to her again at the same tournament. I will try my best tennis on the court,” Li told AFP.

“She is tough. She doesn’t play with power but technically. You have to run round the whole court and she never plays the same ball.

“So I have to run the whole court and she will play drop shots. She is smart, so I have to be ready.

“This is my chance, I have to take it.”

Li’s best effort at the All England Club was her run to the quarter-finals in 2006.

“It feels good getting to the second week of a Grand Slam because after the first week you are still in the tournament,” the Wuhan right-hander said.

“It’s even more exciting because if you play in the second week, that means you’ve won three rounds already.”

Li has been playing with her right knee taped up since the start of the year as a precaution after three operations on it, but said it was not giving her any trouble.

“I feel strong and I have a good team around me. I have no worries about my body,” she said.

Once she is out of the tournament, Li said she would stay a day or two in London to take advantage of the summer sales here.

But she also said she wanted to spend time working with up-and-coming Chinese tennis prospects to help more players break through into the top ranks.

“I try to focus on every tournament and if I have a chance I will try to help the juniors in China because they need more experience to come to the tour,” she said.

“I like to talk with the juniors and practice with them. Hopefully I can help them.”

Radwanska reached the quarter-finals in 2008 and 2009 and will be looking to go one better this year.

The Polish number one has never lost to a player seeded outside the top six at Wimbledon. The Krakow right-hander won the girls’ singles title here in 2005. “I’m just not thinking about the pressure. I’m just doing what I have to do,” she said. “I would like to also do at least the fourth round,” she said.