December 18, 2011
Sampras undefeated in singles and mixed doubles
at Wuhan TiandiE2011 Li Na And Friends
Thousands of fans join celebratory exhibition
honoring Roland Garros champion Li Na
The second and final day of Wuhan TiandiE2011 Li Na and Friends delighted fans, as they packed the Wuhan Sports Center once again to celebrate Li Na's 2011 Roland Garros victory with their hometown hero and her friends and fellow tennis stars, Pete Sampras, Carlos Moya and Sabine Lisicki. With Li Na's mother watching her from the stands for the first time in over ten years, the fans won't be the only ones cherishing the memories of Wuhan TiandiE2011 Li Na and Friends.
Before watching her daughter partner with Moya to take on Sampras and Lisicki in mixed doubles, Li Na's mother was also treated to the marquee singles match, pitting 14-time Grand Slam champion and former ATP Tour No. 1 Sampras against another former ATP Tour No. 1, the 1998 Roland Garros Champion Moya. They had only played four times on the ATP Tour, with Sampras leading their head to head 3:1, including a win over Moya in straight sets in 1997 Australian Open final. Sampras once again emerged triumphant, 4-6, 6-3, 10- 7.
The two champions demonstrated their quick reflexes on the fast indoor courts, jockeying for the lead as both played a crisp first set. Ultimately, Moya edged Sampras by breaking him in the ninth game and then holding easily to close out the first set. Sampras was unperturbed, serving and volleying his way to a quick 3-0 lead in the second, easily defending against Moya's threats to his serve and forcing a ten-point tiebreaker to decide the match. Sampras put the pressure on early, snatching the first point for a mini-break and then cruised: stroking volleys, smashing vintage Air Sampras overheads and cranking winners off both wings to take the match.
Li Na and Lisicki joined Moya and Sampras for the one-set reverse mixed doubles, taking a turn with a new partner: where Li Na and Sampras had paired for a 7-6(4) win over Moya and Lisicki the night before, this time Li Na and Moya fell to the powerful serving duo of Sampras and Lisicki 3-6. The players and fans alike reveled in the levity and joy of the two-day celebration, with fun had by all.
"It's been a great few days here," said Moya, "even though I'm going to go back home winless! I didn't win a single match here, but it was great fun nonetheless. I hope to come back again. I was missing the adrenaline of playing tennis. Here, playing these matches, gives me a chance to get this feeling." Moya also noted in his four trips to China, "I've been treated very well. People are very kind. It's very good to feel like you're at home when you're so far away from where you live. All the fans support us a lot."
Lisicki embraced Li Na after the match, wrapping her arm around Li Na's shoulders to give her a squeeze as she said, "She's my friend, that's why I'm here. It's been amazing to play with these legends. It's a lot of fun. I want to thank everyone who came out to support us, and I want to come back many times. I hope to enjoy it as much as I did this time!"
Sampras joined the effusive praise for the event and for China. "It's a beautiful place to visit," he said. "It's my third time in three months. The people are very friendly. They love sports, they love tennis. China is a great country."
Li Na graciously thanked the Wuhan government for their support, and her fellow players for joining her for a wonderful weekend of tennis. As the fans watched the players joke around and tease one another good-naturedly, it became clear that over the weekend, real bonds had been formed and warm memories made. In celebrating her historic Grand Slam championship with tennis superstars in her hometown, Li Na will also remember 2011 as the year of forming true friendships, ones that will last a lifetime.