Wimbledon semifinalist Kim Clijsters believes China’s history-making Li Na has all the weapons to shoot her into the world’s elite.
The Belgian defeated Li 6-4, 7-5 on Tuesday to reach the last four at the All England Club, but Li wasn’t disgraced and had plenty to be pleased about having become the first Chinese player to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam.
”She has an overall game that’s very good,” said Clijsters who faced a set point against her in the 12th game of the second set and needed three match points to seal victory.
”Her backhand felt very, very powerful and was very consistent. She has a backhand that can really set up a lot of points for her, and where she can, with her forehand, finish it off.
”She moves really well also and has a good serve.”
Clijsters, who also beat Chinese number two Zheng Jie in the third round on her way to Thursday’s semifinal showdown with Belgian compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne, also believes that greater exposure will also help Li eventually break through to the top ten.
”I think she’s a really good player. If she has more experience and gets to play more of these kind of big matches, I think it’s not going take her a long time to break through in one of the next few Grand Slams.”
Tuesday’s meeting was the second time Clijsters had played Li. She had won 6-3, 6-1 in Sydney in January this year.
”I remember in Sydney, I also had to play really good tennis and aggressive tennis,” said the Belgian.
”She came up with really good shots. And today as well. She keeps the unforced errors down on her backhand. It’s a really good shot.”
Li, whose favourite player is Andre Agassi, now returns home where she has an assignment with the Chinese Fed Cup team who face Germany on July 15 and 16 in Beijing in a World Group play-off clash.
”I expect to win,” said the confident 24-year-old.
”But Germany is a strong team so we still have a lot of things to do and a lot of work to do.” ‒ Sapa-AFP