American Julia Cohen got her 2013 off to a quick start on Monday with a comeback 0-6, 7-6, 7-5 over Russian player Nina Bratchikova to reach the second round of the Shenzhen Longgang Gemdale Open in China.
Last week, I detailed Cohen's 2012 play and her travel in this piece.
I received an email from an excited Cohen following her victory over Bratchikova, and she was not only happy about the win, but what might lie ahead in the second round.
Should top-seeded Na Li get by her first round match with Mandy Minella, she would be next up for Cohen, surely in a feature match.
"I hope I do play Na Li," Cohen told me. "There will be a lot of energy for the crowd (for her of course) but it will be exciting."
It's a big opportunity for Cohen as she tries to prepare for the Australian Open and get her ranking back in the top-100.
Cohen used a effective first serve including two aces and converted on six break points during Monday's two and a half hour match.
Another key stat was the fact she won 58% of her second serve points during the match.
Cohen knows she will have to do more of the same and "up" her game if she plays the former major winner in Li.
These are the kind of matches that can give a player like Cohen confidence heading into a big event like the Australian Open.
Win or lose.
The Julia Cohen File
Current WTA Ranking: 129
Current WTA Event: Shenzhen, China
Born: March 23, 1989 in Philadelphia
Height: 5'7"
Plays: Right-handedStarted Playing Tennis: Age of 6
Countries Played in during 2012: 19
Countries Played in so far in 2013: 1
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