Chinese Li Na overcame a sluggish start to beat Yaroslava Shvedova 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 for the third round of the Birmingham Classic on Tuesday.

Li, who became the first Chinese to reach the quarterfinals of a major at Wimbledon last year, struggled early against the Russian teenager.

But she found her stride in the second set, winning 11 of the last 12 games in her first match on grass this year as the fourth-seeded Li had a bye in the first round.

"The bounce was very low," Li said. "And it gives you a different kind of physical exercise. Last year I played quite well on grass and I really want to do better."

Two seeded players lost their first-rounders Tuesday, as No. 11Olga Poutschkova was upset 6-0, 6-0 against Angelique Kerber of Germany, and No. 10 Severine Bremond was defeated 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 byAlicia Molik.

Top seed Maria Sharapova, who is aiming for her third title here, also had a bye in the first round and starts play Wednesday against Lilia Osterloh.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2007)