Na Li became the first Asian player to win an International Series event this year when she defeated Maria Sharapova 7-5 6-1 in the final of the AEGON Classic in Birmingham. Her victory was a repeat of her semi-final win against Sharapova a year ago, and it denied her Russian opponent a third International Series title this season.

The Chinese number one’s victory, her third career title after winning Guangzhou in 2004 and Gold Coast in 2008, returned her to the world’s top 10. Li was the first Chinese player ever to break the top 10 earlier this year, after a scintillating run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Li, who was a semi-finalist in Bali in 2005, spent seven straight weeks in that position before a back injury led to her dipping out of the elite again. She fell as low as 16, but strong clay court results and now a title in Birmingham have pushed her back into the top 10.

"Last year I beat Maria and then was so excited I forgot I had another match," said Li, who last year lost the final to Magdalena Rybarikova. "I'm excited again. If I had another match this time, I think I would probably lose that too."

So far this season there have been 15 winners at the International Series events, but only the top eight-ranked players to have won a singles title on the International Series, and who are not playing at the WTA Championships in Doha, will be eligible to compete in the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, which takes place at the Bali International Convention Centre, The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua from 4th to 7th November.

The International Series now moves on to s’Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands for the final grasscourt preparation for Wimbledon.