Olympics: China's Li Na turns to focus to doubles after singles loss

London, July 29 (IANS): Chinese No.1 women’s tennis player, Li Na said that she will focus on the doubles after losing to Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the first round of the women’s singles at the London Olympics.

“I was sad I lost here in the first round. I know we are professional players, but the Olympics are different. Every four years, only one time,” the 30-year-old was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

“Now the women’s doubles is the only event I have at the Olympics so I will try my best to do well in it,” Li said.

Li will team up with Zhang Shuai in the doubles, where 32 teams will vie for the gold.

China has notched up one gold and one bronze medal in the past two Olympics, but Li, who last played doubles five years ago, was not upbeat about her doubles tryout.

“Zhang Shuai and I never played together before, and in the training camp for the Games we did not have much practice time either, so all I can do is try my best, hopefully we can win the first match tomorrow,” she said.

Asked about the match against Hantuchova, Li said: “I think I played well in the beginning of the first set. After that I made a lot of mistakes so I just gave the set to her.”

“It’s really tough because out of the court, we are good friends, but if you stay on the court, you have to fight. But I think it is a little bit tough for both. All I can say is that she played better than me,” Li added.