Li Na eases into second round at Australian Open

Melbourne, Jan 13 (IANS) Two-time Australian Open runner-up Li Na advanced to the second round with a straight sets victory over qualifier Ana Konjuh of Croatia here Monday.

The fourth seed from China only took 61 minutes to seize a 6-2, 6-0 win over Konjuh, who was a junior champion last year at the Melbourne Park, reports Xihhua.

“The match is not as easy as the score tells. Every match is tough and my experiences helped me in the match,” said Li. “My strain capacity and my skills are the key to my victory.”

Li will play against Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic, who knocked out Japanese veteran Date-Krumm Kimiko, in a second round match Wednesday.

“I know she (Bencic) played Kimiko today, but I have to prepare for my match so I didn’t really see much. So I will try to find something on Internet,” said Li on her next round opponent.

Li Na made into Australian Open finals twice, losing to Kim Clijsters in 2011 and Victoria Azarenka last year, and has advanced to at least the fourth round every year since 2010. She might play against title-favourite Serena Williams in semifinals.