Melbourne: Li Na struck back for the older generation of women`s tennis by fending off gutsy 16-year-old qualifier Belinda Bencic 6-0 7-6 (5) to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.



Swiss Bencic, who knocked out Japan`s Kimiko Date-Krumm, the oldest woman in the draw in the first round, lost seven straight games before steadying to surprise the Chinese fourth seed with her tenacity in a tense second set played out in stifling heat at Rod Laver Arena.

Taken deep into the deciding tiebreak, Li sealed the match by crunching a backhand winner down the line.

Li will next face qualifier Lucie Hradecka or another Czech in 26th seed Lucie Safarova.