MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Li Na's married life is a little more complicated now that her husband is also her coach.
Li worked with Thomas Hogstedt until the end of last year, when she reached the Australian Open semifinals and moved into the top 10 for 16 weeks as China's most successful player. Then she started the 2011 season with husband Jiang Shan as her coach.
She has carried her impressive play into the new year, beating Kim Clijsters to win the Sydney International, a tuneup event for the Australian Open. And now she's into the fourth round at Melbourne Park after a 6-2, 6-1 win over Barbora Zahlavova on Friday.
Yeah, it's interesting because you always fight,'' Li said.I mean, on the court I always have to listen to what he says. But we always find a bonus to (the) job and life.''
Li was one of two Chinese players who reached the Australian Open semifinals last year, the first time two players from that country have gone that far in the same Grand Slam. She beat Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki to get there before losing to Serena Williams.
Serena Williams is out this year with an injury, and Venus Williams, Clijsters and Wozniacki are among the favorites.
Zheng Jie, the other Chinese woman to reach the 2010 semifinals, is injured and not competing, but another Chinese player, Peng Shuai, defeated seventh-seeded Jelena Jankovic on Thursday in the third round.
Li's achievement in Australia last year triggered speculation that having some high-profile Chinese players could help tennis take root in the world's most populous country, where table tennis is far more popular than the version of tennis that Li plays.
Li, who switched from badminton to tennis at age nine, is not so sure. She said that even if she won the title at Melbourne Park, the celebrity wouldn't last long.
Maybe for one month, after one month everyone forget,'' she joked.I'm not sure. If one Chinese player can win the Grand Slam in China, maybe China turn around. I don't know.''
SINGLES NO MORE: Andy Roddick is spoken for, in case there's any doubt among fans.
Courtside interviews with winners at the Australian Open often turn to the lighter side, with players cracking wise in front of the crowd after answering a couple of questions about the match they've just finished. The interviewers, often former players, encourage the vibe.
So it was on Friday, when Jim Courier in his role as commentator for the Australian broadcast asked Roddick about his third-round victory over Dutchman Robin Haase. Courier then relayed an anecdote about a woman he met in an elevator who asked him to tell Roddick that he was ``sooo sexy.''
Roddick, who is friends with Courier, didn't miss a beat.
See, see you got married last year, I got two married two years ago,'' Roddick told Courier.Therefore, it would be inappropriate if I asked if you got her number for me.''
Roddick, who married model and actress Brooklyn Decker in 2009, told reporters later that he enjoyed Courier's interviews, though he acknowledged they could get awkward for some players.
``I know he tries to ... touch on the match, but also take it outside the box a little bit and maybe give the players a chance to showcase some personality out there, which is fun and which is what people want to see,'' Roddick said.
Roddick also gave his reaction to the news that U.S. great Andre Agassi would be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
It's about as surprising as the sun coming up this morning,'' Roddick said.He's definitely one of the biggest crossover stars we've had in this game.''
Agassi won eight Grand Slam titles and spent 30 weeks as the world's No. 1 player in the 1990s, recovered from a nearly career-ending slump and made blunt admissions about using drugs and suffering depression in a 2009 autobiography.
He was probably the most relatable superstar we've had because of his pitfalls then successes,'' Roddick said.But kind of the guy he ended up being at the end I think is an overall success story.''