"It was my first time playing a top 30 player," said Woerle. "When I was
serving for the second set, she gave me no chance at all on three of the points.
"She is very confident and I think she's going to be at the top for a while."
On Saturday, Li had already helped China to go up 2-0 as she an team-mate
world No 34 Zheng Jie Zheng defeated Germany's Kristina Barrois and Woerle
respectively.
In the following consolation matches, China's No 3 singles player Sun
Tiantian Sun failed to extend the nation's victory as she was beaten 4-6, 6-3,
6-3 by Germany's Tatiana Malek.
Sun, the world No 88, was disappointed, saying: "Although we had already won
the tie, I hoped I could continue the victory for China. But I could not find my
own rhythm after losing the second set."
In the final doubles match, China's Wimbledon champion pair Zheng and Yan Zi
delighted home fans as they easily beat Germans Barrois and Jasmin Woehr 6-3,
6-4.
Bright future
The landmark victory delighted skipper Jiang Hongwei, who believes China is
well along the march to power status in world tennis.
"Even though my players were tired and not at their best I'm very satisfied
with their performances and how they fought for their country," he said.
He added that the sport is gaining popularity in the nation.
"Just check out the crowd," he said of the partial audience who stayed to
watch the whole tournament despite China already holding a winning 3-0 lead.
"I think they beginning to learn more about tennis."
Their opponents also gave the team credit.
"It's a great tie. Congratulations to the host team as
they deserve to break into the World Group," said German skipper Barbara
Rittner. "I wish them good luck and I'm sure there is a very good future ahead
of them."
