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Well, it's starting to look like clay will go down as Li's best surface. Which is somewhat surprising, to me atleast. Why do people think it is?
What makes Clay such a good fit for Li's game?
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Among all those brainless ballbashers, her footwork is one of the best and her general movement is way over average. That allows her to do much more than on general moving-unfriendly surfaces despite the fact her actual clay skills are underdeveloped.
Additionally, clay seems to help her timing, as long as the surface is not too receptive for top-spin, or, like in RG, the balls are anti-spin balls.
Additionally, clay seems to help her timing, as long as the surface is not too receptive for top-spin, or, like in RG, the balls are anti-spin balls.
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Well, who would have thought a couple of years ago that clay would become Maria's best surface? 
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According to an Eurosport commentator, Na "grew up" playing on clay.
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She's got more time to prepare her shots. She has improved so much her FH over the years, which used to be her weakness. Now she likes to dictate with the FH and hits with more spin. So she adjusts better her timing on clay. She moves very well the ball, knows how to change directions and how to produce pace. Also, she moves very well and she's got much better defending as well.
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She probably has one of the best, if not the best, footwork when on the offensive. Clay allows her to utilise that footwork to its fullest. Her movement is explosive and even though she is not as fast as the best defenders in the game, she moves very lightly on clay which helps her be in position to hit her shots.
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1. She moves great
2. Not a lot of other WTA players move that well on clay
3. She gets great angles on her strokes
4. She has more time to set up for her shots and go for those down the lines
2. Not a lot of other WTA players move that well on clay
3. She gets great angles on her strokes
4. She has more time to set up for her shots and go for those down the lines
Extremely mobile and light on her feet.
Serves a high percentage of first serves. Usually 65-75% each match.
Clay increases her strike zone immensely. There are few balls high or low that Na can't swat.
Reduces the incoming pace from the other side not allowing some players to overpower her.
She returns better on clay IMO.
Best aggressive footwork on tour when getting around the ball.
Serves a high percentage of first serves. Usually 65-75% each match.
Clay increases her strike zone immensely. There are few balls high or low that Na can't swat.
Reduces the incoming pace from the other side not allowing some players to overpower her.
She returns better on clay IMO.
Best aggressive footwork on tour when getting around the ball.
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I think the biggest reason is how terrible most girls on clay at this point.
Other than that, I don't really think it's a GREAT surface for her. She's made it the 4th round of RG twice... TWICE. And her RG win was her only title on clay to this point.
Other than that, I don't really think it's a GREAT surface for her. She's made it the 4th round of RG twice... TWICE. And her RG win was her only title on clay to this point.
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I was waiting for someone to say something like this. I really don't think Li is that great on the surface.
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I agree with previous 2 posts. In last season after her final in AO she came back with form during clay season - but during 4 months after final in Australia she totally sucked everywhere. And she won her slam title and just after this she started suck again. But in this season she has slam to defend and it's obvious she will fight for defend this title.
And in general, Li is good player. Or even very good player - and the surface is not important cause good player can play on every surface.
And in general, Li is good player. Or even very good player - and the surface is not important cause good player can play on every surface.
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She has played well at the last two Wimbledons, so I wouldn't say that her game sucks on grass. She should have really beat Lisicki and she was a break up in the second against Serena if I recall.
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Hard courts is her best surface. She just is too tired or mentally worn out by the time of the U.S Open each year, but her Australian hard court performances show how good she is. If Clijsters and Serena didnt exist she might have 3 Australian titles in a row, and if Serena and Clijsters still existed but chokeNa did not she still might have 1, 2, or 3 Australian Open titles today.
If she is mentally up to it, and in good form at the time, and avoids an on fire Serena or Kvitova, there is no reason she cant win Wimbledon. Clay is her worst surface, just the one she got lucky to hit her peak form vs poor opponents on so far.
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