Li Na of China celebrates after defeating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Sept 29, 2013. [Photo/icpress.cn]

Chinese number one Li also had an easy time in the opening round, playing against her long-time friend Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. The world number five used one hour and 30 minutes to defeat Hantuchova 6-0, 6-4 and improved the win/loss record to 3-4.

"I think I have pretty good start of the match until 4-Love in the second set. But in this level I can not do this, to relax a little bit. You can see the score in second set. If I was relaxing, I just gave my opponent more chances to come back," said Li.

"But I am happy in the end I can win the match. At least I passed the first round," added the 31-year-old, who reached the last four here in Beijing last year.