MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Defending Australian Open Champion Kim Clijsters and French Open champion Li Na advanced to the third round with convincing victories.
Clijsters destroyed Frenchwoman Stephanie Foretz Gacon of France 6-0, 6-1 in 47 minutes In Rod Laver Arena. Said Clijsters, ” I felt like in my first match I didn’t really have that rhythm that I would have liked to have. So that’s usually something that I try to look for in the beginning of the match.
“Was hitting the ball well; felt that I could keep her under pressure. I didn’t really let her play her game. From the beginning till the end, I did what I had to do well.”
At the end of the match, the Belgian asked spectators to sing “Happy Birthday” to her sister. Clijsters will face Daniela Hantuchova in the third round.
China’s Li Na moved on to the third round with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Australian Olivia Rogowska.
“The score looks like easy, but some games do fighting a lot.
“I mean, she’s young, ” said Li. “I think she need more experience, yeah. Because I think I was 19 years old, so I have a lot of experience on the court.”
Li is set to play Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues next.
Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News