Li feels the heat

Li Na: Felt the heat in opener against Ksenia Pervak

Li Na fought through the brutal Melbourne heat to defeat Ksenia Pervak in round one of the Australian Open.

The world number six, beaten finalist here last year, cruised into the second round with a routine 6-3 6-1 success.

But afterwards she admitted to battling fatigue on a day when many matches became survival of the fittest.

"At the end of the first set I was really feeling the heat on the court," Li said.

"I couldn't breathe. I was feeling like, what's going on? Lucky I won so easy in the second set."

Li's fitness coach Alex Stober however never had any doubts about his charge's staying power, revealing: "I can tell you Li is incredibly easy to work with, she's incredibly disciplined, she's a hard worker.

"She would never question whatever you are telling her to do, she is fantastic to work with and she's in very good shape.

"She can keep going for another two, three years easily at this level of tennis, no problem. She is playing her best right now."

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