Li Na Claims First Cincinnati Title Over Kerber

By Erik Gudris

(August 19, 2012) -- After reaching four finals in 2012, Li Na finally picked up her first title of the season at the Western and Southern Open and has now positioned herself as a legit contender for this month's U.S. Open.

Taking on Germany's Angelique Kerber who was seeking her third title of the year, Li got off to a rough start as she went down an early break to Kerber. Frustrated by Kerber's trademark lefty style of defense mixed with deceptive power, Li threw in 17 unforced errors to hand Kerber an easy 6-1 set.

But it was a calm consult from her new coach Carlos Rodriguez who told Li to be more patient in the rallies that seemed to give the former French Open champion a new resolve in the second set. Though Kerber jumped out to a 3-1 lead, Li started finding the range on her forehand and soon leveled things at 3-all.

The pivotal game at 4-3 became a mini-marathon that saw Kerber struggle for 12 minutes to hold serve. After saving one break point thanks to a successful Hawk-eye challenge, Kerber eventually netted a forehand to give Li the break that she later consolidated to close out the set 6-3.

Though Kerber was a stellar 19-1 in three set matches on the year, the German's growing frustration and weariness from a long week took its toll as Li reeled off nine straight points at one stretch to go up 3-0. Kerber managed to hold serve once for 1-4, but it was too little, too late as a surging Li took command of the match and sealed a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 victory to win her first title of 2012.

Despite the loss, Kerber took comfort in the fact that next week she will rise to a career high ranking of No. 6, a remarkable feat considering last year she at this time she was outside the top 100.

"Yeah, it's for sure amazing to reach now No. 6 in the world," said Kerber. "I mean, last year I was 106 I think and right now I'm 6. It's unbelievable. But it's actually just a number before my name. I am not looking how many points I have to defend or how many points I get. It's just amazing to be there. But I still improved and I am having fun on the tour, and I hope I will continue my good game plan."

The women's doubles title was won by Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka over Katarina Srebotnik and Jie Zheng 6-1, 6-3.

(Photo Credit: Western and Southern Open FB)