Li Na plots extended spell at the top

China's Australian Open finalist Li Na said Thursday she is confident she can use her hard-won experience to hold off the emerging generation of players as she chases more Grand Slam glory. The former French Open champion came up short against world number one Victoria Azarenka in the final of the year's first major in Melbourne in January but predicts another two years at the top of the women's game. Turning 31 in February, Li is roughly the same age as America's 15-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, which counts as old in a sport packed with aspiring youngsters. "Right now I've been playing for many years so I've got some experience as well," said the world number five. "And also, never give up. This for me is more important and also why I can keep the level for a couple of years." Li overcame Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Sharapova on her impressive run to the final in Australia, where she twisted her ankle twice and briefly blacked out before losing to the Belarusian in three sets. But as well as success for some of the established names, the tournament also saw the new generation make their mark as American Sloane Stephens, 19, knocked out her idol and tennis great Williams in the quarter-finals. Britain's Laura Robson, 19, continued her good progress by reaching the third round while the likes of Garbine Muguruza and Madison Keys have been tipped as stars of the future. HONG KONG (AFP) - (AFP) - China's Australian Open finalist Li Na said Thursday she is confident she can use her hard-won experience to hold off the emerging generation of players as she chases more Grand Slam glory. The former French Open champion came up short against world number one Victoria Azarenka in the final of the year's first major in Melbourne in January but predicts another two years at the top of the women's game. Turning 31 in February, Li is roughly the same age as America's 15-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, which counts as old in a sport packed with aspiring youngsters. "Right now I've been playing for many years so I've got some experience as well," said the world number five. "And also, never give up. This for me is more important and also why I can keep the level for a couple of years." Li overcame Agnieszka Radwanska and Maria Sharapova on her impressive run to the final in Australia, where she twisted her ankle twice and briefly blacked out before losing to the Belarusian in three sets. But as well as success for some of the established names, the tournament also saw the new generation make their mark as American Sloane Stephens, 19, knocked out her idol and tennis great Williams in the quarter-finals. Britain's Laura Robson, 19, continued her good progress by reaching the third round while the likes of Garbine Muguruza and Madison Keys have been tipped as stars of the future. From AFP