China’s Xiaohui Li secured her first Grand Slam singles title by defeating Diede de Groot in straight sets at Melbourne Park. Li’s victory over the well-decorated Dutch player took just 50 minutes, with scores of 6-1, 6-2. She also successfully defended her doubles title alongside Wang Ziying.
In a post-match press conference, the 26-year-old Li expressed her happiness, stating, “Right now, we’re pretty pleased.” Despite de Groot’s previous dominance with four consecutive AO titles, she acknowledged Li’s superior performance as the No.3 seed.
Li attributed her success to strategic improvements, mentioning, “We’re improving more on the strategy part.” She ended de Groot’s winning streak in 2024 with a backhand winner, showcasing her tactical prowess on the court.
De Groot, reflecting on her tournament performance, considered reaching the final a significant achievement after a prolonged absence from the game. She praised her team’s hard work and expressed pride in their progress in wheelchair tennis.
