Western & Southern Open 2012: Li Na Defeats Angelique Kerber for Title

For the first time since her 2011 French Open title, Li Na has won a tournament by capturing the Western & Southern Open over Angelique Kerber 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. This was her sixth career WTA tournament title.

The WTA was kind enough to tweet out the result. 

"

Li Na captures 1st title of 2012 at #CincyTennis with a 16 63 61 win over Angelique Kerber. Li Na won 11 of the final 12 games! #WTA #tennis

— WTA (@WTA) August 19, 2012"

This was a result few would have predicted after the first set.

Kerber could do no wrong early in this match as she was mixing up her serves and staying consistent on her ground strokes. This seemed to force Li into unforced errors. 

Li began to get a much better read on Kerber's second serve and stay more patient as the match progressed, and that made all the difference. It was no longer just Li hitting the unforced errors, and by the end, she wasn't making any. Li is now 5-1 in her career vs. Kerber. 

The more success Li had, the more Kerber's confidence began to wane. Li won the final five games of the second set to grab all the momentum and reduce the decisive third set as little more than a chance for her to show off her sizzling game as we head toward the U.S. Open. 

She took the first four games of the third set before Kerber was able to end the streak of nine straight games for her opponent, but that was the only game she would win in the third. 

Li, who was seeded ninth for this tournament, reached the final last week in Montreal, and she has built on that.

Despite the fact that she has played in seven U.S. Opens and never made it beyond the quarterfinals, she now has to be considered one of the favorites. 

Li has taken her hard-court game to a new level. Her returns are blistering, and the accuracy on her serves makes her tough to break. 

The way she looks now, it will be a surprise if she doesn't make at least the semifinals of the U.S. Open.