Li takes revenge over Petrova at China Open

China's Li Na returns the ball during her match against Russia's Nadia Petrova at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing October 2, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - Chinese superstar and world No. 8 Li Na got her revenge over Russian Nadia Petrova when she defeated the nemesis for the first time in seven meetings at China Open second round here on Tuesday.

It was also the first match of the rivalry in four years as Petrova's last win over Li was at the Stuttgart Open in 2008.

"I think that's the charm in playing tennis. Every day you can challenge yourself. You are defeated consecutively, but it doesn't mean you were defeated by her all the time. This is sport. You never know what's gonna happen," said Li, who took just one hour and 19 minutes to finish the lopsided match.

"I'm very much glad to see that I'm still making progress in this match," Li added.

The match should have been one of the most absorbing second round clashes after Petrova, who is currently world number 14, has just won the Pan Pacific Open title in Tokyo, but Li was hardly tested by her opponent en route to the 6-1, 6-2 victory.

The former French Open winner just had a little trouble in the sixth game of the second set where she lost her serve for the only time in the match. But the 30-year-old broke back immediately in the next game and then served for the victory.

Li powered five aces to just one from Petrova and scored 13 winners to 5 of her opponent.

"Because Petrova has already made a lot of changes, and I made some changes as well. Both of us have turn those skills into reality. Otherwise you will waste your practice time. My team said that we have a very good opportunity because my team can feel that I am making progress already."

Li, the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title, will take on compatriot Peng Shuai in the third round. "Just come to court and play my tennis. I have my team around me  so I just do what my team say," she added.

Li is making her eighth appearance at Beijing, with the best result reaching the semifinals in 2010.