Li Na takes on Marion Bartoli in the opening rubber of the 2012 Hyundai Hopman Cup tie between China and France.
If China are to go far this week, most of their hopes will rest on the performance of Na. While there has been a growing influx of Chinese players sweeping through the women's game, there are none in the men's top 100 and Wu Di (ranked 422 in the world) is likely to be found out of his depth against the likes of Lleyton Hewitt and Fernando Verdasco.
As a result this is a must win clash for the French Open champion and world number five against world number nine Bartoli.
Bartoli enjoyed a tremendous 2011 season which saw her win two WTA titles and reach the French Open semis. However despite her indifferent form in the autumn, Na will go into this one as the favourite after her superb performances in Australia over the past two years (she reached the final last year and the semis in 2010).
The head-to-head stands at 1-1 with Li Na winning the last one, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 in Dubai two years ago.
Prediction: Li Na in three sets.
