Li Na and Roger Federer: Two Very Different Champions at Western and Southern Open

Li Na won the Western and Southern Open this year.  So did Roger Federer.  Both are major champions.  But, that's about where the comparisons can stop as these are two very different winners.  While one is the definition of consistent, one is among the biggest mysteries in sports.  Both this week, however, got it done.

Li Na has definitely had an interesting career.  For much of her early career, she was a no name, with nobody really paying attention to her.  Then, an unexpected breakthrough occurred as Li made it to the finals of the Australian Open in 2011.  Then, she won the 2011 French Open over Frencesca  Schiavone, which created a frenzy in China.

After that, however, she just dropped off the map.  Inconsistency was a major problem for Li Na, so much so, that it was hardly a mild surprise when Li lost in the Second Round of Wimbledon to Sorana Cirstea.  How could she go from winning the French Open in 2011 to not even making a quarterfinals appearance in 2012?  Personally, I never thought she would win another tournament!  Well, she proved everyone wrong and won this year's Western and Southern Open.  Will she succeed at the US Open?  Well, if her past performances are any indication, we will not know until she steps on the court at Flushing Meadows.

Now, Roger Federer is another story.  Besides the fact that he has two Olympic medals, including one gold, he has 17 major championships.  In 2004, 2006, and 2007, he won three majors in one year!  He has a career grand slam, too.  He has been to a Quarterfinal in a major for what seems like forever.  He  had recently won Wimbledon 2012.  He is the model of consistency.  So, we knew he would give a great showing at this tournament.

What we did not know however, was that he was going to dominate the tournament, never really being threatened as he took home the crown.  He even continued his resent serge against Novak Djokovic and beat him in straight sets.  Again, he never was a let down, consistent throughout the tournament, until he had won it all.  Like the rest of his career.

Roger Federer and Li Na have much different backgrounds when it comes to their tennis backgrounds. However different their pasts are, however, they both found a way to win one of the main tournaments leading up to the US Open.