Li ends Watson's challenge at US Open
Li ends Watson's challenge at US Open
Li Na proved too strong for British hope Heather Watson in the first round of the US Open, winning through 6-2 6-3 in New York.
The Chinese star came into the tournament on the back
of an impressive victory in Cincinnati, and was a class above the
20-year-old, ranked 71 in the world.
The ninth seed shared the first games with her opponent, even having
to save a break point, before reeling off five games in a row to win the
first set.Watson, the former US Open junior champion, responded with an early break in the second to lead 3-1, but again the Chinese roared back, helped by a consistent first serve.
The match was all but won when rain intervened with Li 5-3 ahead in the second set, and after a lengthy delay, it was a brief return to court for Watson for her exit to be confirmed.
She lost four of five points on her serve following the two-and-a-half-hour rain delay, punching a backhand into the net on match point.
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