World number 29 Li Na overcame some dicey moments before ousting Austrian No.7 seed Sybille Bammer 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the WTA Gold Coast hardcourt tennis on Tuesday.
The former world top 20 player needed two hours and 13 minutes to edge past 19-ranked Bammer, who joined No.2 seed Nadia Petrovaof Russia and No. 8 seed Agnes Szavay from Hungary as the main seed casualties.
After splitting the first two sets and with 4-1 up in the thirdset, Bammer looked on course for the second round. However, the 25-year-old Li raised her game just in time and started to find the angles.
With some sizzling winners the momentum slowly started to swing in Li's favour.
Mother-player Bammer, two years her opponent's senior, looked tired when she needed to close the match out, while Li looked like she could go another set.
Coming up next for Li will be Australia's Monique Adamczak, who fought hard to beat Russia's Elena Vesnina 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-5.
In doubles action, Li's compatriots Sun Shengnan and Ji Chunmeilost to Frenchwomen Nathalie Dechy/Stephanie Foretz 6-2, 3-6, 10-4 in the first round.
Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles winners Zheng Jie/Yan Zi need to rest one more day to get onto the court due to the wet condition.
Source: Xinhua
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