2013 Li Na tennis season

The 2013 Li Na tennis season officially began on 31 December with the start of the 2013 WTA Tour at the first edition of the 2013 Shenzhen Open.

2013 Li Na tennis season
Singles
Season record44–14 (75.86%)
Calendar titles1
Current rankingNo. 3
Ranking change from previous yearIncrease 4
Grand Slam & significant results
Australian OpenF
French Open2R
WimbledonQF
US OpenSF
Last updated on: 28 October 2013.

Yearly summary

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Early hard court season and Australian Open

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Shenzhen Open

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Li Na started her season strongly by participating the inaugural Shenzhen Open in her home country. Defeating Mandy Minella, Julia Cohen, Bojana Jovanovski and country woman Peng Shuai en route, Li advanced to her first final of the year against fifth seed Klára Zakopalová. After splitting the first two sets, the deciding set was a tight affair, but Li broke her opponent's last service game to win the match. It was Li's first title of the year and seventh overall.

Apia International

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Li then competed in Sydney in preparation for the Australian Open. On her road to the semifinals, Li defeated rising star Christina McHale, qualifier Ayumi Morita and another American prodigy Madison Keys, amassing a perfect 8–0 this season. In the semifinal Li faced Agnieszka Radwańska and went on to lose in straight sets. Radwańska later won the title.

Australian Open

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Entering the first Grand Slam of the year, Li defeated young players Sesil Karatantcheva, Olga Govortsova, Sorana Cîrstea and Julia Görges en route to set up a quarter final match between her tour rivalry and friend Agnieszka Radwańska. Li took full advantage of her well-rounded performance, ending the Pole's Australian run in straight sets. In the semifinals, world No. 2 Maria Sharapova won only 4 games in a lopsided victory for Li. This would be Li's third Major final in her career .

Li's opponent in the final was defending champion Victoria Azarenka. The pair entered the final with 1 Major victory each. Li won the first set but fell twice in the second set. She twisted her left ankle and also hit her head on the court. Li, though injured, continued the match and was defeated by Azarenka in three sets. Li received a huge applause from the audience while giving her speech in the ceremony later that night.

Because of her left ankle injury, Li withdrew from 2013 Qatar Total Open, 2013 Dubai Tennis Championships and 2013 BNP Paribas Open. She continued her season in 2013 Sony Open Tennis in March.

Sony Open Tennis

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After not participating any tour events for 2 months, Li returned to the American hard court season in Miami. As the fifth seed of the event

Clay court season and French Open

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Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

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Mutua Madrid Open

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Internazionali BNL d'Italia

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French Open

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Grass court season and Wimbledon

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Aegon International

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Wimbledon

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US Open Series and US Open

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Rogers Cup

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In her first match since Wimbledon, she beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in two easy sets. In the third round Li faced Ana Ivanovic. The two traded sets but in the final set in went to a tiebreak, and Li earned a hard-fought victory. Li then defeated Dominika Cibulková and proceeded to the semifinal where she lost to Sorana Cîrstea in two sets.

Western & Southern Open

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Li was the defending champion, and went on to make the semifinals. She lost to Serena Williams, 7–5 7–5, and double faulted to lose both sets.

US Open

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Asian hard court season and Year-end Championships

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China Open

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WTA Championships

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Li was drawn in the White group along with Victoria Azarenka, Sara Errani and Jelena Janković. She opened her campaign with a straight set win over Errani, improving to 6–0 in career head-to-head meetings against her. She was behind 3–1 in the second set before winning the next four games. She twice served for the match, wasting a match point at 5–3, and dropped serve on both occasions. Trailing 3–1 in the tiebreaker, Li won the next five points and converted her third match point when Errani dumped a forehand into the net. She emerged victorious against Janković in three topsy-turvy sets. In her final round robin match against Azarenka, she stormed out to a 4–2 lead before Azarenka suffered a lower back injury, allowing Li to win in two easy sets. She finished the match with an impressive +20 winner to error differential (28 to 8). The win meant she advanced to the semifinals for the first time with a 3–0 round robin record. She secured a career-high ranking of world No. 3 by besting Petra Kvitová in the semifinals, the highest ranking an Asian player, male or female, has ever achieved. In the final she made a strong start, blasting 10 winners en route to winning the first set against Serena Williams, but ran out of gas at 3–3 in the second set, losing nine games in a row to lose the championship.

All matches

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Singles matches

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Tournament Match # Round Opponent Rank Result Score
Shenzhen Open
Shenzhen, China
WTA International
Hard, outdoor
31 December 2012 – 6 January 2013
1 1R   Mandy Minella #77 Win 6–4, 6–0
2 2R   Julia Cohen #129 Win 6–3, 6–4
3 QF   Bojana Jovanovski #56 Win 6–3, 6–3
4 SF   Peng Shuai #40 Win 6–4, 6–0
5 F   Klára Zakopalová #28 Win 6–3, 1–6, 7–5
Apia International
Sydney, Australia
WTA Premier
Hard, outdoor
7–13 January 2013
6 1R   Christina McHale #36 Win 7–6(7–2), 7–5
7 2R   Ayumi Morita #81 Win 6–1, 6–0
8 QF   Madison Keys #135 Win 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–2
9 SF   Agnieszka Radwańska #4 Loss 4–6, 3–6
Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
14–27 January 2013
10 1R   Sesil Karatantcheva #113 Win 6–1, 6–3
11 2R   Olga Govortsova #58 Win 6–2, 7–5
12 3R   Sorana Cîrstea #28 Win 6–4, 6–1
13 4R   Julia Görges #18 Win 7–6(8–6), 6–1
14 QF   Agnieszka Radwańska #4 Win 7–5, 6–3
15 SF   Maria Sharapova #2 Win 6–2, 6–2
16 F   Victoria Azarenka #1 Loss 6–4, 4–6, 3–6
Qatar Total Open
Doha, Qatar
WTA Premier 5
Hard, outdoor
11–17 February 2013
Withdrew
Dubai Tennis Championships
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
WTA Premier
Hard, outdoor
18–24 February 2013
Withdrew
BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells, United States
WTA Premier Mandatory
Hard, outdoor
4–17 March 2013
Withdrew
Sony Open Tennis
Miami, United States
WTA Premier Mandatory
Hard, outdoor
18–31 March 2013
1R Bye
17 2R   Kiki Bertens #42 Win 6–3, 6–1
18 3R   Varvara Lepchenko #29 Win 6–2, 6–4
19 4R   Garbiñe Muguruza #73 Win 7–6(8–6), 6–2
20 QF   Serena Williams #1 Loss 3–6, 6–7(5–7)
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Stuttgart, Germany
WTA Premier
Clay, indoor
22–28 April 2013
1R Bye
21 2R   Mirjana Lučić-Baroni #103 Win 6–1, 6–2
22 QF   Petra Kvitová #8 Win 6–3, 7–5
23 SF   Bethanie Mattek-Sands #104 Win 6–4, 6–3
24 F   Maria Sharapova #2 Loss 4–6, 3–6
Mutua Madrid Open
Madrid, Spain
WTA Premier Mandatory
Clay, outdoor
6–12 May 2013
25 1R   Madison Keys #62 Loss 3–6, 2–6
Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Rome, Italy
WTA Premier 5
Clay, outdoor
13–19 May 2013
1R Bye
26 2R   Zheng Jie #50 Win 6–3, 6–1
27 3R   Jelena Janković #18 Loss 6–7(2–7), 5–7
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay, outdoor
26–9 June 2013
28 1R   Anabel Medina Garrigues #68 Win 6–3, 6–4
29 2R   Bethanie Mattek-Sands #62 Loss 7–5, 3–6, 2–6
Aegon International
Eastbourne, United Kingdom
WTA Premier
Grass, outdoor
17–22 June 2013
30 1R   Alizé Cornet #30 Win 6–2, 6–4
2R   Marion Bartoli #15 Walkover N/A
31 QF   Elena Vesnina #36 Loss 6–7(4–7), 3–6
Wimbledon Championships
London, United Kingdom
Grand Slam
Grass, outdoor
24 June – 7 July 2013
32 1R   Michaëlla Krajicek #575 Win 6–1, 6–1
33 2R   Simona Halep #43 Win 6–2, 1–6, 6–0
34 3R   Klára Zakopalová #32 Win 4–6, 6–0, 8–6
35 4R   Roberta Vinci #11 Win 6–2, 6–0
36 QF   Agnieszka Radwańska #4 Loss 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 2–6
Rogers Cup
Toronto, Canada
WTA Premier 5
Hard, outdoor
5–11 August 2013
1R Bye
37 2R   Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova #31 Win 6–1, 6–4
38 3R   Ana Ivanovic #15 Win 3–6, 6–1, 7–6(7–5)
39 QF  Dominika Cibulková #20 Win 7–6(7–1), 6–2
40 SF   Sorana Cîrstea #27 Loss 1–6, 6–7(5–7)
Western & Southern Open
Cincinnati, United States
WTA Premier 5
Hard, outdoor
12–19 August 2013
1R Bye
41 2R   Lauren Davis #76 Win 4–6, 6–1, 6–1
42 3R   Angelique Kerber #8 Win 6–4, 6–4
QF   Agnieszka Radwańska #4 Walkover N/A
43 SF   Serena Williams #1 Loss 5–7, 5–7
US Open
New York City, United States
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
26 August – 9 September 2013
44 1R   Olga Govortsova #88 Win 6–2, 6–2
45 2R   Sofia Arvidsson #100 Win 6–2, 6–2
46 3R   Laura Robson #32 Win 6–2, 7–5
47 4R   Jelena Janković #12 Win 6–3, 6–0
48 QF   Ekaterina Makarova #24 Win 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–2
49 SF   Serena Williams #1 Loss 0–6, 3–6
China Open
Beijing, China
WTA Premier Mandatory
Hard, outdoor
28 September – 6 October 2013
50 1R   Daniela Hantuchová #31 Win 6–0, 6–4
51 2R   Bojana Jovanovski #39 Win 6–0, 6–1
52 3R   Sabine Lisicki #16 Win 7–5, 6–4
53 QF   Petra Kvitová #7 Loss 6–4, 2–6, 4–6
WTA Tour Championships
Istanbul, Turkey
WTA Tour Championships
Hard, indoor
21–27 October 2013
54 RR   Sara Errani #7 Win 6–3, 7–6(7–5)
55 RR   Jelena Janković #8 Win 6–3, 2–6, 6–3
56 RR   Victoria Azarenka #2 Win 6–2, 6–1
57 SF   Petra Kvitová #6 Win 6–4, 6–2
58 F   Serena Williams #1 Loss 6–2, 3–6, 0–6

Tournament schedule

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Singles schedule

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Li Na's 2013 singles tournament schedule is as follows:

Date Championship Location Category Surface Prev. result Prev. points New points Outcome
30 December 2012–
6 January 2013
Shenzhen Open Shenzhen (CHN) WTA International Hard N/A 0 280 Winner
defeated Klára Zakopalová, 6–3, 1–6, 7–5
7 January 2013–
13 January 2013
Apia International Sydney (AUS) WTA Premier Hard F 320 200 Semifinals
lost to Agnieszka Radwańska, 3–6, 4–6
14 January 2013–
27 January 2013
Australian Open Melbourne (AUS) Grand Slam Hard 4R 280 1400 Final
lost to Victoria Azarenka, 6–4, 4–6, 3–6
11 February 2013–
17 February 2013
Qatar Total Open Doha (QAT) WTA Premier 5 Hard DNP 0 0 Withdrew due to a left ankle injury
18 February 2013–
23 February 2013
Dubai Tennis Championships Dubai (UAE) WTA Premier Hard DNP 0 0 Withdrew due to a left ankle injury
4 March 2013–
17 March 2013
BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells (USA) WTA Premier Mandatory Hard QF 250 0 Withdrew due to a left ankle injury
18 March 2013–
31 March 2013
Sony Ericsson Open Miami (USA) WTA Premier Mandatory Hard QF 250 250 Quarterfinals
lost to Serena Williams, 3–6, 6–7(5–7)
22 April 2013–
28 April 2013
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart (GER) WTA Premier Clay (i) QF 120 320 Final
lost to Maria Sharapova, 4–6, 3–6
6 May 2013–
12 May 2013
Mutua Madrid Open Madrid (ESP) WTA Premier Mandatory Clay QF 250 5 First round
lost to Madison Keys, 2–6, 3–6
13 May 2013–
19 May 2013
Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome (ITA) WTA Premier 5 Clay F 620 125 Third round
lost to Jelena Janković, 6–7(2–7), 5–7
26 May 2013–
9 June 2013
French Open Paris (FRA) Grand Slam Clay 4R 280 100 Second round
lost to Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 7–5, 3–6, 2–6
17 June 2013–
22 June 2013
Aegon International Eastbourne (GBR) WTA Premier Grass DNP 0 120 Quarterfinals
lost to Elena Vesnina, 6–7(4–7), 3–6
23 June 2013–
7 July 2013
Wimbledon London (GBR) Grand Slam Grass 2R 100 500 Quarterfinals
lost to Agnieszka Radwańska, 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 2–6
5 August 2013–
11 August 2013
Rogers Cup Toronto (CAN) WTA Premier 5 Hard F 620 395 Semifinals
lost to Sorana Cîrstea, 1–6, 6–7(5–7)
12 August 2013–
18 August 2013
Western & Southern Open Cincinnati (USA) WTA Premier 5 Hard W 900 395 Semifinals
lost to Serena Williams, 5–7, 5–7
26 August 2013–
9 September 2013
US Open New York City (USA) Grand Slam Hard 3R 160 900 Semifinals
lost to Serena Williams, 0–6, 3–6
28 September 2013–
6 October 2013
China Open Beijing (CHN) WTA Premier Mandatory Hard SF 450 250 Quarterfinals
lost to Petra Kvitová, 6–4, 2–6, 4–6
21 October 2013–
27 October 2013
WTA Tour Championships Istanbul (TUR) WTA Tour Championships Hard (i) RR 370 1050 Final
lost to Serena Williams, 6–2, 3–6, 0–6
Total year-end points 6045

Yearly records

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Head-to-head matchups

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Bold indicates that the player was in the Top 10, italics denotes that the player was in the Top 20 (at the time of the match being played). This list is ordered by number of wins to number of losses in chronological order played.

Finals

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Singles: 4 (1–3)

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Legend
WTA Grand Slams (0–1)
WTA Tour Championships (0–1)
WTA Premier Mandatory (0–0)
WTA Premier 5 (0–0)
WTA Premier (0–1)
International (1–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (1–2)
Clay (0–1)
Finals by venue
Outdoors (1–1)
Indoors (0–2)
Outcome No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Winner 7. 6 January 2013 Shenzhen, China Hard   Klára Zakopalová 6–3, 1–6, 7–5
Runner-up 9. 26 January 2013 Melbourne, Australia Hard  Victoria Azarenka 6–4, 4–6, 4–6
Runner-up 10. 28 April 2013 Stuttgart, Germany Clay (i)   Maria Sharapova 4–6, 3–6
Runner-up 11. 27 October 2013 Istanbul, Turkey Hard (i)   Serena Williams 6–2, 3–6, 0–6

Earnings

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# Event Prize money Year-to-date
1 Shenzhen Open $112,080 $112,080
2 Apia International $32,830 $144,910
3 Australian Open $1,220,969 $1,365,879
4 Sony Open Tennis $90,250 $1,456,129
5 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix $68,200 $1,524,329
6 Mutua Madrid Open $12,268 $1,536,597
7 Internazionali BNL d'Italia $24,300 $1,560,897
8 French Open $43,640 $1,604,537
9 Aegon International $17,850 $1,622,387
10 Wimbledon $320,869 $1,943,256
11 Rogers Cup $104,700 $2,047,956
12 Western & Southern Open $104,700 $2,152,656
13 US Open $638,929 $2,791,585
14 China Open $100,900 $2,892,485
15 WTA Tour Championships $1,090,000 $3,982,485
$3,982,485

Figures in United States dollars (USD) unless noted.

See also

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References

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