Beijing: Li Na suffered a nightmare first round defeat at the China Open yesterday as she went down 6-4 6-0 to 58th ranked Romanian Monica Niculescu on an expectant centre court.
The world number five, making her first appearance in China since winning the French Open this year, dropped serve repeatedly as her slump in form continued.
Qualifier Niculescu romped away with the match after taking the first set, leaving Li, and the fans at the newly opened National Tennis Centre, stunned.
"I have just lost all confidence," a visibly shaken Li told reporters. "On the court, I don't know what I can do. It was tough even winning one point. I asked my coach [husband Jiang Shan] to advise me. I know what he said was exactly right, but I couldn't do [what he said]."
Millions of Chinese television viewers enjoying a national holiday would have witnessed silence fall on the newly opened 15,000-seat centrepiece stadium when Li failed to respond to the vocal support of spectators.
When asked by a Chinese reporter what message she had for them, often outspoken Li replied: "Tell them to take care of their health."
The 29-year-old revealed ahead of the tournament that she was lacking "mental toughness", a condition laid bare during the humiliating encounter.
"China is special. This is the biggest tournament in China. Of course I wanted to do well. But sometimes if I really want to do well, I put more pressure on myself. [But] it's not only the pressure I give myself. It's also from outside," she said.
Since winning the French Open Li has managed just five match victories.
