过山车式比赛李娜力克哈勒普

Li Na is safely through to the third round of Wimbledon after a dominant display against Simona Halep who was struggling with an injury.

The Australian Open runner-up’s adapting to the grass nicely and is in a part of the draw which is opening up, and perhaps most importanly of all was able to get her match done before the rain came to London on Thursday and washed out most of the day.

With Marina Erakovic knocking out Peng Shai, Li is the last remaining Chinese player in the singles.
 
With seeds falling due to injuries and upsets, Li had to be on her guard against the women from New zeland. And the China’s big hope almost fell on the wet and slippery grass as she tried to scramble for the ball in the third game of opening set.

The 31-year old got down to the business of taking charge of the match and quickly grabbed a 4-1 lead.

Halep had no answer to Li Na's strength, and appeared to injure her waist when she tried to pick up the ball from Li's forehand. The world No. 32 had difficulties in serving. After half an hour of play Li took the first set 6-2.

The Romanian called a medical time-out during the break between sets. Judging from her facial expression she was clearly in pain. But the pause in play seemed to affect Li more than Halep as the rythmn went from the Chinese’s game and the error count went through the roof.

The match was turned on its head as Halep went four love up and went on to win the second set 6-1. But in this topsy-turvy match it would be Li who would come through it. She emphaticaslly dug herelf out of a hole and found herself serving up already four love and on the verge of victory. Li took the deciding set, in the end, in a canter. She will face Klara Zako-palova in the third round.