Li A. beat Zhang S. 7-5, 6-3 in Cincinnati, settling the first set with a break in the 12th game and then taking control of the second. Li served decisively, finishing with five aces to none and winning 79% of first-serve points.
The first set swung several times: Li broke in game six, Zhang hit back in game nine, and Li broke again in game 12 to seal it 7-5. In the second set Li made the only breakthrough, converting in game eight before serving out for 6-3.
Li's second-set serving stood out: five aces, 82% first-serve points won and no break points faced. She also edged the overall points count 61 to 53, while Zhang's higher first-serve percentage of 77% could not prevent the straight-sets win.