Andy Murray and Li Na: Major Moments at Roland Garros
Andy Murray and Li Na both reached the final of the 2011 Australian Open with high hopes of winning the title, but both walked away without the crown. For Murray, it was yet another Grand Slam final disappointment and the loss seemed to send him into a
tailspin for the second consecutive year. Through the winter and spring, Murray was struggling until he almost beat the red-hot Novak Djokovic in a thriller in Rome a few weeks ago. Now Andy is in the French Open semis and poised to challenge Rafael Nadal in their semifinal encounter on Friday.
Li Na, who has led the charge of the Chinese women in professional tennis, created history when she reached the final in Melbourne earlier this year. However, since then, she has struggled until the past couple weeks leading up to the French Open. In fact, after her form declined, Na dropped her husband as her coach and has been working with Dane, Michael Mortensen, who coached Caroline Wozniacki a bit when she was a junior. On Thursday, Na will face Maria Sharapova for a spot in her second consecutive Grand Slam final.
In the end, everyone really only remembers the majors and both Murray and Na have already done very well in the first two majors of the year by reaching the final in Australian and at least the semis at Roland Garros. All players prefer to win matches and tournaments throughout the year, but peaking for the majors is the ultimate goal. Murray and Na may have taken a slightly circuitous route during the winter and spring, but as the tennis world is in the heart of the spring and summer Grand Slam season, they seem to be in fine form when it matters most!
Li Na, who has led the charge of the Chinese women in professional tennis, created history when she reached the final in Melbourne earlier this year. However, since then, she has struggled until the past couple weeks leading up to the French Open. In fact, after her form declined, Na dropped her husband as her coach and has been working with Dane, Michael Mortensen, who coached Caroline Wozniacki a bit when she was a junior. On Thursday, Na will face Maria Sharapova for a spot in her second consecutive Grand Slam final.
In the end, everyone really only remembers the majors and both Murray and Na have already done very well in the first two majors of the year by reaching the final in Australian and at least the semis at Roland Garros. All players prefer to win matches and tournaments throughout the year, but peaking for the majors is the ultimate goal. Murray and Na may have taken a slightly circuitous route during the winter and spring, but as the tennis world is in the heart of the spring and summer Grand Slam season, they seem to be in fine form when it matters most!
|
