By Erik Gudris / Saturday, January 4, 2014

 

Withstanding a late second-set surge from her opponent, top seed Li Na defended her Shenzhen Open title.

Photo Credit: AP
 

It was a special day for both Li Na and Shuai Peng at the Shenzhen Open as it was only the second all-Chinese final in WTA history.

But in the end, it would be the top seed who would celebrate the victory.

Li fell behind early in the first set and trailed 3-4. But she soon rolled off seven of the next eight games to build a 6-4, 4-1 lead.

Peng didn't back off though. She staged a late rally in the second set to lead 5-4. But the momentum swung back in Li's favor as she collected the last three games.

Li celebrated the 6-4, 7-5 victory. The win marked not only her eighth career title but also the first time Li had ever successfully defended a title.

Peng herself is now 0-6 in WTA finals.

Monica Niculescu and Klara Zakopalova won the doubles title 6-3, 6-4 over sisters Lyudmyla and Nadiya Kichenok. It was the first WTA doubles title for both Niculescu and Zakopalova.