Li Na began her run at the 2010 China Open on Sunday, China's best player, taking on Russian qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva.

Li Na's coach Thomas Hogstedt believes Li's serve can equal that of Serena Williams and Li used her powerful serve well on the day, winning the first set 6-love.

Li's serve and return game in form, a solid backhand leaving Kudryavtseva shaking her head.

Li stretched her lead in the second to 4-love and was painting the lines. Eagle eye showing, just how close this was.

Li had everything going in round one, as she was able to control her Russian opponent and track down returns when needed, Li...running over 30 metres on this point, and forcing the unforced error.

Li Na, with a very solid performance in the opener 6-2, 6-0 for the Chinese.

She said, "I was nervous as well, maybe because I haven't played in a while. I had no idea how my game would be. I didn't underestimate my opponent, and adjusted my game from the beginning, and took the initiative to attack. "

Maria Sharapova through to second round

Also moving on to round two on the day, Maria Sharapova as she took on Tsvetana Pironkova.

Sharapova won the first set 6-4, and opened the second set by taking three consecutive games.

But Pironkova would force the second to a tiebreak and there, Sharapova would come through for a straight sets 6-4, 7-5 win to move on.

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