Li Na enters second round at Eastbourne

Na Li of China in action against Alize Cornet of France during Day Four of the AEGON International at Devonshire Park on June 18, 2013 in Eastbourne, England. (Getty Images)

Eastbourne (England), June 19 (IANS): Second seed Li Na of China defeated French woman Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Aegon International here.

Li, French Open champion two years ago but beaten in the second round at Roland Garros earlier this month, will next take on former champion Marion Bartoli of France, reports Xinhua.

Fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki, the former World No.1, led Tamira Paszek 6-2, 2-2 before the Austrian retired with a left thigh injury Tuesday.

Wildcard Elena Baltacha of Britain defeated Czech Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 7-6(3) while Hsieh Su Wei of Chinese Taipei beat Briton Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-3.

In the men’s event, Australian Bernard Tomic posted a 6-3, 6-4 first round win over Briton James Ward.

Spain’s Feliciano Lopez, twice a Wimbledon quarterfinalist, beat Finn Jarkko Nieminen 7-6(3), 7-6(5).

Slovak Martin Klizan beat Victor Troicki 6-3, 6-2 and Ivan Dodig eliminated Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-4.