MELBOURNE, Australia — Li Na was nearly flawless Monday at a place she usually plays well, beating Ana Konjuh of Croatia 6-2, 6-0 in 61 minutes in the first round of the Australian Open.
Li is a two-time finalist at Melbourne Park, losing to Kim Clijsters in 2011 and Victoria Azarenka last year, and has advanced to at least the fourth round every year since 2010.
On Monday, Li frequently strayed from her traditional baseline position, several times volleying from the center of the court for winners during the fourth game of the second set when she broke Konjuh's service.
Li will next play 16-year-old qualifier Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, who beat 43-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan in three sets earlier Monday.