US Open 2013: Li avenges 2012's loss to Robson

Na Li celebrates a point during her women’s singles third round match against Laura Robson on Day Five of the 2013 US Open. (Getty Images)

New York, Aug 31 (IANS): Chinese No.1 women’s singles tennis player Li Na had paid special attention to her third round match against British teenager Laura Robson, who surprisingly knocked her out of the US Open in the same round last year.

Li didn’t let that happen again. The fifth seed powered 11 aces to beat her 12-year younger opponent 6-2, 7-5 and reach the last 16. “The age is only on paper and today is always younger tomorrow,” said Li about the age difference Friday, reports Xinhua.

The first set began with a break from Li. The former French Open champion made full use of Robson’s mistakes, breaking twice to establish a 4-1 lead. Both players were able to hold their serves in the rest of the games in the first set, which ended with Li’s 6-2 win.

Robson played much better in the second set. The British rising star made a break in the second game and found herself leading 3-0. However, three games were not enough to defeat the World No.6. Li shrugged off the pressure to keep her second service game and break back in the next to get back into match.

The two players went into the 11th game with the score reading 5-5. Li awarded herself three straight break points by leading 40-0. Robson saved the first two but failed eventually. The match went in favour of Li in the 12th game and the 31-year-old veteran sealed the victory after wasting one match point.