Defending champ finds touch in time, Sun Xiaochen writes

Enjoying a surge in momentum and form at three clay tournaments leading up to the French Open, Asia's first Grand Slam champion, Li Na, is full of confidence as she sets about defending her title at Roland Garros. After reaching her second WTA final of the season in Rome last week, Li looks close to being back to her best.

Chinese contingent

She also reached the quarterfinals of the clay-court events in Stuttgart and Madrid earlier this month.

Her athletic style, which suits slow clay surfaces, has been enhanced by renewed confidence in her strokes as she played a number of superb shots during tough rallies against Maria Sharapova in the Rome final.

Despite surrendering a 6-4, 4-0 lead and eventually losing to the Russian world No 2 in a rain-interrupted third set tie-breaker, the deep run boosted her morale after a major form slump following her French Open triumph.

"Obviously it's tough to rest for two hours and then play again, but I still can take many positive things from this match," Li said after the final.

"Playing a tough match like that showed me I'm strong, and physically I felt great. I can take a lot of positive things away from this week and I think I'm ready for the French Open."

The 30-year-old also made it to the quarterfinals on the hard courts at Indian Wells and Miami, showing a greater level of consistency.

However, it remains a concern for Li that she seems to have lost the knack of closing out matches against high-ranking opponents.

Beaten by world No 1 Victoria Azarenka in Madrid, Li lost to No 3 Agnieszka Radwanska in Stuttgart and has a 1-4 record facing top-10 rivals this season.

"I'm not worried about forehands or backhands, it's finishing the matches that is my problem," Li told AFP.

"There is not one player out there who gives up in a match, everyone is playing at such a high level. That's my problem - I need to win easier. It's a big problem for me to close out the matches."

Still, Li stressed her form is improving and she is fully fit.

"I can slide on the court and then get back into position and l like the way I am hitting on the court," said Li. "I have to say that I feel physically great now."

Fans have become accustomed to expecting big things from Li when she performs well at tune-up events before majors.

She won her maiden WTA title in Sydney before advancing to her first major final at the Australian Open last year and her victory at Roland Garros followed another solid semi finish in Rome last May.

After her French open victory, expectations grew but her form slumped, however, Li believes she has finally learnt how to handle the burden.

"You always have to challenge yourself. Now, I don't feel so much pressure, I just want to show the fans I can play tennis," Li said.

Also representing China in Paris will be Li's London Olympic teammates Peng Shuai and Zheng Jie, who also enter the main draw as seeded players.

They are playing down their chances of flourishing on the clay as they both have endured declines in form this year.

Peng, the world No 30 who reached the last 16 at each major except the French last year, has lost all her clay matches this season.

The 26-year-old, who finished last season with an impressive 53-21 record, was eliminated in the opening round in Brussels last Tuesday and it appears unlikely she will surpass her personal best of a third-round berth at Roland Garros.

Zheng, who fought her way into the last 16 at Roland Garros in 2004, has been plagued by injury again this season after hurting her back during a tournament in Charleston. She has won only one match on clay this season - at Estoril.

To prepare for the London Olympics, Peng and Zheng will play together in doubles for the first time this season.