(Reuters) - A typical "neighbourhood kid" toting a badminton racquet in the Yangtze river port of Wuhan, eight-year-old Li Na could have had little idea the path the Chinese state set for her might lead to tennis glory, riches and Asia's first grand slam singles title.
Steered into a sports college to work on her badminton, Li was soon diverted into a tennis programme after coaches found her stroke-making too lusty for the gentile sport played on street-sides across the country.
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