WTA (Sat. 01/05): SHENZHEN LONGGANG GEMDALE OPEN

Written by: Staff on 5th January 2013

WTA (Sat. 01/05): SHENZHEN LONGGANG GEMDALE OPEN

epa03519708 Li Na of China returns the ball to world number one woman tennis player Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their tennis exhibition match at Hua Hin resort city, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Thailand, 29 December 2012. EPA/PONGMANAT TASIRI |

SHENZHEN LONGGANG GEMDALE OPEN

Shenzhen, China

December 30, 2012-January 5, 2013

$500,000/International

Hard/Outdoors

Results – Saturday, January 5, 2013

Singles – Final

(1) Li Na (CHN) d. (5) Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 63 16 75

Doubles – Final

(1) Chan/Chan (TPE/TPE) d. Buryachok/Solovieva (UKR/RUS) 60 75

Final Facts

– Li wins the seventh title of her career; it was her second title in China – her first coming in Guangzhou in 2004.

– Li’s win-loss record in finals now stands at 7-8, and 5-4 in hardcourt finals.

– Zakopalova won more points than Li in the final – 89 to Li’s 88 – and recovered from 5-2 down in the final set to level at 5-5.

– Li levels her head-to-head record with Zakopalova at 2-2.

– Zakopalova falls to 2-10 in WTA finals; this was her first final since a runner-up finish in Seoul in 2010.

– Li is projected to rise to No.6 and Zakopalova to a career-high No.26 when the post-tournament rankings are released.

– The Chan sisters win their first WTA title together; Yung-Jan now has 10 career titles to her name, while Hao-Ching has one.

Final Quotes

Li Na: “Klara played well and I managed my mood swings well, and I’m glad I made it. Winning the title certainly helps boost my confidence for the coming weeks, but it also depends on how I’m playing on the courts. Confidence itself won’t guarantee a win. But I’m very happy to win and the Shenzhen Longgang Gemdale Open was a great tournament – I believe it will get even better in future years.”

Klara Zakopalova: “It was about a few points today but she really proved she’s a top player – she played her best from 5-all. She’s playing unbelievably fast and flat, and she’s hitting her backhand down the line very well. To me she’s one of the Top 3 players right now and I hope she can make it there. There’s no way to be sad about losing – I lost to a top player and I’m happy to reach the final.”