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By Chris Oddo | Thursday, July 31, 2014

 
Li Na Wimbledon 2014

Li Na will miss this year's U.S Open due to a lingering knee injury.

Photo Source: Kieran Galvin/ Camerasport

Li Na’s season started with a torrid stretch that led to her second career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. With talk of Li making a run at the WTA’s top ranking she then stumbled in the European Slams, losing in the first round at Roland Garros and the third round at Wimbledon.

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Unfortunately for Li, her shot at Grand Slam redemption will not come in 2014. The 32-year-old announced on her Facebook page on Thursday that she had pulled out of the U.S Open as well as Montreal and Cincinnati due to a lingering knee injury that has hampered her for much of the season.

“I wanted to let all of my great fans know that unfortunately I am going to have to withdraw from the upcoming WTA events in Montreal and Cincinnati, as well as the US Open,” Li wrote. “Since March, I have been struggling with my knee and it is just not where I need it to be in order to play at the highest level. My medical team has advised me that I need to take some time off to rest my knee so it heals. I look forward to getting back on the court this fall in Wuhan and Beijing.”

After reaching the semifinals or better in four of her first five events in 2014, Li has failed to reach the last four of any event since. She began the year 22-2, and since has stumbled, going only 7-5 since reaching the Miami final.

Perhaps more disconcerting for Li, 32, was the fact that her last two losses have come to a player outside of the top 100 and another outside of the top 40.

The Wuhan, China native, will turn 33 next February. She is the only Asian Grand Slam champion and at No. 2 in the world is the highest-ranked player from Asia as well.

 

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