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Beijing, July 9 (ANI): Li Na, who became the first Asian-born player to win a singles Grand Slam title a month ago, has confirmed plans to be a part of a special two-day tennis extravaganza in her hometown, Wuhan, along with superstars like 14-time Grand Slam singles champion Pete Sampras and Carlos Moya.

Li will also challenge new rival and rising star, Sabine Lisicki, who had defeated her in a thrilling contest at Wimbledon.

The event titled “Li Na and Friends” will be held on December 17-18, 2011, the city of Wuhan leadership and IMG has announced.

Li expressed her gratitude happiness over the fact that the event would be organized in her hometown.

“It has been an amazing few weeks for me and my family and I would like to thank you all for your good wishes and support which have touched my heart and which I will never forget,” Xinhua quoted Li, as saying.

“I am so delighted that this Li Na and Friends event can take place in my home city of Wuhan, and am so thankful that Pete, Sabine and Carlos happily agreed to come to China. I would particularly like to warmly thank the City of Wuhan, the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Wuhan Sports Bureau and my team at IMG for joining forces to make this wonderful celebration possible,” she added.

The two-day event will feature two matches per day, with reports saying that on December 17 (the first day), a singles match between Sampras and Moya, and a mixed doubles match, pairing Li and Sampras against Moya and Lisicki, would be played.

On December 18, Li will seek to avenge her three-set Wimbledon loss to Lisicki (6-3, 4-6, 6-8), this time in two sets, also with a ten point tie-breaker to determine the match if they split sets. (ANI)