Li's legacy continues to inspire next wave

HONG KONG - China's two top female tennis players say Li Na's shining example and the explosion of tournaments across the country after her Grand Slam wins have triggered the emergence of a new generation of Chinese players.

Wang Qiang, 26, and Zhang Shuai, 29, said confidence is growing among Chinese players after a quiet spell since trailblazer Li, a two-time Grand Slam winner, retired in 2014.

Wang, ranked 24th, and 40th-ranked Zhang head the quartet of Chinese players in the current world top 100, and there are 11 Chinese in the top 200, including 17-year-old US Open junior champ Wang Xiyu.