Australian Stosur voiced her belief in 31-year-old Li ahead of an exhibition match between the two in Hong Kong. Li has already declared that she is determined to work hard to become number one following her win in Melbourne.
‘Think about her ability and what she has been able to do in the last year or so for sure I think she has a chance to get even higher than number three,’ Stosur, 29, told reporters. ‘I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t think anything is possible... of course, it’s very very hard. The closer you get the harder it gets.’ Li is third in the rankings, just 11 points behind second-placed Victoria Azarenka, after downing Dominika Cibulkova on Saturday to take her second Grand Slam title after winning in France in 2011.
Serena Williams, 32, remains world number one. Stosur said she did not believe Li’s age would hold her back. ‘Lots of players now are playing their best tennis at a little bit older age... being healthy is the important thing,’ she said in a phone conference in Hong Kong. Describing Li as ‘down to earth’ Stosur said she loved the post-match one-liners.
Somdev top seed at ATP Challenger
CHENNAI: India’s numero uno singles player Somdev Devvarman has been given the top-billing at the $50,000 ATP Challenger tournament, starting from February 3 at SDAT Tennis stadium here.
Apart from world no. 97 Somdev, Yuki Bhambri (171) has a direct entry in to the tournament which has a cut off at 262. The host association has awarded singles wild cards to Jeevan Nedunchezhian (313), Saketh Myneni (316) and Ramkumar Ramanathan (406). ‘The Challenger event happening soon after last month’s ATP Chennai Open offers a prize money of $50,000 and singles and doubles events would be held during the six-day event. Qualifying event would be held on February 1 and 2,’ Karti Chidambaram Vice President AITA and TNTA said. ‘We decided to conduct an ATP Challenger Tour event in 2014 as Tamil Nadu itself has 5 players in the top 500 ranking.
‘Think about her ability and what she has been able to do in the last year or so for sure I think she has a chance to get even higher than number three,’ Stosur, 29, told reporters. ‘I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t think anything is possible... of course, it’s very very hard. The closer you get the harder it gets.’ Li is third in the rankings, just 11 points behind second-placed Victoria Azarenka, after downing Dominika Cibulkova on Saturday to take her second Grand Slam title after winning in France in 2011.
Serena Williams, 32, remains world number one. Stosur said she did not believe Li’s age would hold her back. ‘Lots of players now are playing their best tennis at a little bit older age... being healthy is the important thing,’ she said in a phone conference in Hong Kong. Describing Li as ‘down to earth’ Stosur said she loved the post-match one-liners.
Somdev top seed at ATP Challenger
CHENNAI: India’s numero uno singles player Somdev Devvarman has been given the top-billing at the $50,000 ATP Challenger tournament, starting from February 3 at SDAT Tennis stadium here.
Apart from world no. 97 Somdev, Yuki Bhambri (171) has a direct entry in to the tournament which has a cut off at 262. The host association has awarded singles wild cards to Jeevan Nedunchezhian (313), Saketh Myneni (316) and Ramkumar Ramanathan (406). ‘The Challenger event happening soon after last month’s ATP Chennai Open offers a prize money of $50,000 and singles and doubles events would be held during the six-day event. Qualifying event would be held on February 1 and 2,’ Karti Chidambaram Vice President AITA and TNTA said. ‘We decided to conduct an ATP Challenger Tour event in 2014 as Tamil Nadu itself has 5 players in the top 500 ranking.