Role-model Li rolls at US Open

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Chinese fifth seed Li Na cruised into the second round of the US Open on Monday as easily as she has slipped into being a role model for her sport and homeland.

Li, Asia's top women's hope at the year's final Grand Slam event, ousted Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-2, 6-2 in only 64 minutes and will next face Swede Sofia Arvidsson on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts.

Li, the 2011 French Open champion, was named one of Time Magazine's 100
most influential people for her impact in China, a role that she has taken to heart. (AFP)