Australian Open Day 1: Monday, Jan 13 - Order of Play

[Correspondent Kiu]

Regarding Li being better than Lisicki and Serena, different opponents. You can't tell what the scoreline would have been if they'd played Li's opponent.

Li was better according to the score-board, Serena and Sabine won 2-1, Li Na beat the young Konjuh 2-0, drove the bus right over the youngling! This Konjuh is a young promising player, she only held up for 2 games against the Chinese Star, who always does well here.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Regarding Li being better than Lisicki and Serena, different opponents. You can't tell what the scoreline would have been if they'd played Li's opponent.

Exactly, scoreline differences mean nothing at this stage. Remember Sharapova last year, and we saw how that turned out in the semi's.

Also, Li's opponent has a hand injury and is having surgery after this match.

It happens when the bus is driven over one!

 

[Front242]

Yes, but scoreboards mean nothing at all. Li might have actually lost to Lisicki or Serena's opponents or likewise they may have double bageled hers. That proves nothing. Not even one iota.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

With Petra out of the 2nd quarter, there's only Sabine and a shaky Angie left, Li will cruise through her quarter as I doubt Sabine or Angie will even make it far.

But you never know.

 

[Front242]

Hope so. Always liked Li. She comes across as very nice in interviews too and I always like seeing the veteran players do well. Plenty of time left for the younger ones yet.

 

[sk310]

Li always does well at the Australian Open its quite boring really. She'll make the semis or final even and lose and then play like crap until the French Open. I'm tired of that storyline. Show me consistency throughout the year and maybe I'll actually get behind you.

 

[Front242]

Many players out there would gladly have a slam semi or final and crap for a few months compared to crap all year so while consistency is definitely preferable, there are many players out there who are consistently bad all year long so at least she's not in that group. Any player who qualifies for the year end championships can't be doing too badly really.

 

[rubydo]

The season is a long one, no player can be up for every event, it's a matter of pacing yourself. Li as mentioned has a nice demeanor to go along with a fine degree of talent, that I have fortunately witnessed in person. She is a contender here, especially in the weak 1/4 she is in to start the event, as Kiu aptly stated.