Li downs Zakopalova in Shenzhen final
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Li Na of China defeated Czech Klara Zakopalova in the final of the inaugural Shenzhen Open.
The top-seeded Li earned a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 win over No. 5 Zakopalova in a match that last two hours and four minutes.
"Winning the title certainly helps boost my confidence for the coming weeks," said Li, who will also play next week in Sydney before the Australian Open. "But it also depends on how I'm playing on the courts. Confidence itself won't guarantee a win."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Zakapalova hung around because Li tallied 10 double faults, but Li saved 7- of-14 break points and won 7-of-11 break points.
Li improved to 7-8 in finals. Her lone title last year came at the U.S. Open tune-up in Cincinnati.
Zakopalova fell to 2-10 all-time in finals and hasn't won a tournament since 2005.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"There's no way to be sad about losing," said Zakopalova. "I lost to a top player and I'm happy to reach the final."
Zakopalova had won two of the three previous meetings against Li, although last year's lone matchup was a 6-1, 6-0 Li rout in Indian Wells.