After reaching three finals this year and losing all of them, China’s Li Na was hoping for a change in fortunes against Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the Cincinnati Open.
The arrival on Thursday of her new coach - Carlos Rodriguez who guided Justine Henin to the world number one ranking - paid immediate dividends for China’s highest ranked player.
However, the Chinese was restricted to the baseline in the opening set, soon trailing 3-1. Li tried to stay in touch with the German as the set progressed, but she could’nt find a way through Kerber’s solid defence. Kerber broke again and was leading 5-1 before snatching the set having lost just a single game.
At times in her career Li has struggled to refocus when falling behind but today she got back on track. Coming from a set and a game down, Li won the next nine games straight to level at a set a piece.
Kerber struggled in the decider as the former French Open champion completely dominated. The victory ends Li’s run of three defeats in finals this year as she claimed the Cincinnati Open title 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 and it provides her with plenty of confidence as she plots her future with her new coach.