Li Na, the first Chinese player to reach the world's top 20 and the host nation's best bet for a singles medal at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing, suffered a disconcerting first round loss in the US$1.5 million Dubai Open on Monday.
The No. 7 seed from Wuhan in Hubei Province went down 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 to Eleni Daniilidou, the world No. 42 from Greece, but led 5-3 in the second set and even held a match point for a straight sets victory at 5-4.
This nominally made the result an upset, especially as Daniilidou, frequently troubled by injuries last year, had won only two of her previous six matches this year.
But a fit and in-form Daniliidou is a dangerous and clever player, who has been in the world's top 20 herself, and has the capacity to think as well as play her way out of difficulty.
Li's well grooved ground strokes seemed likely to prevail until the tall Cretan found ways to mix it up more, variously attacking with flat serves and backhands and then with slices and slow balls.
Li was also increasingly troubled by what looked like a thigh strain in her right leg, and after drifting to 0-2 in the final set had the trainer on one game later.
After a 10-minute delay for treatment Li immediately broke back and even advanced to 3-2, but from then on her error ratio increased uncharacteristically. She finished the match with a forehand drive from half court which horribly miscued the ball 4m into the hinterland.
Daniilidou now has a decent chance of progressing to a quarter-final with the top-seeded titleholder Justine Henin, who begins her campaign today, in a tournament where in three attempts she has never lost.
However these are uncertain times for the year-end world No. 1, who lost her second surname and her first position in the rankings following her recent separation from her husband.
"My chances will depend on being able to control my emotions," the former triple Grand Slam said.
Henin won only two matches in her comeback tournament, the Open Gaz de France in Paris a fortnight ago, and she may have a none-too-easy opener against Katarina Srebotnik, the world No. 22 from Slovenia.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from