BEIJING - Given an easy draw at the China Open, French Open champion Li Na said she expects tough battle against her rookie rivals in the opening rounds.

The fourth seed will face either qualifier or wild card player in the first two rounds en route to a possible clash against Samantha Stosur from Australia.

"It's a tough battle playing against anyone. Anything could happen on court. The top ranked players might be knocked out in the first rounds and the lower ranked players possibly make it to the final," said Li, who became the first Chinese to win a Grand Slam title at this year's Frnech Open in June.

With a string of disappointing results after Li's trailblazing feat in Paris, Li broke up with her coach Michael Mortenson from Denmark and her husband Jiang Shan came back to the coaching position again.

"Naturally Jiang knows me best and between us it seems no language is required. A sign, eye contact will tell the story. But It's harder to deal with the sort of relationship between me and my husband than the general coaching relationship, so I wish I can cooperate well with my husband like I did at the beginning of the year."

With Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova withdrawing from the China Open due to injury, the world number five has been expected to win the local tournament for the first time. Her best result was a semifinal finish, losing to Vera Zvonareva here last year.

"I hope I can do my best at the China Open and make it to the yearending WTA World Championship final," added the 29-year-old.