Chinese shuttler Li Xuerui (C) arrives in London July 24.

After a comfortable opener on Saturday, fledgling Chinese shuttler Li Xuerui achieved a hard-won victory Sunday evening and surged into the round of 16 of women's singles in the Wembley Arena.

Her opponent was 19-year-old Carolina Marin from Spain, who was ranked 29th in women's singles in the world. Their last encounter at the Victor Korea Open 2012 might not be a pleasant memory to the Olympic newcomer Li, as she needed to play three sets to upset her rival.

Victory of the two games on Sunday were built on difficult starts. In the first game, the 21-year-old Li was once two points behind, while in the second one, the disadvantage had been enlarged to four points.

However, the baby-faced girl managed to seize the chance of Marin's mistakes and sail ahead from behind, especially in the second game when she just lost one point to her rival after the interval.

"It was tough, especially in first half of each games, although I am fully prepared for the arduousness," Li said. "She is a young player and I adjusted my form to win."

She believed it a good thing to meet a strong opponent. "Competitions later could only become more fierce, and an uphill battle could help me adapt quickly to the Olympic arena."

In the round of 16, Li is likely to meet world's No. 10 seed Tai Tzu Ying from the Chinese Taipei. "I will eat well and sleep well, so as to play well," said the joyous Li, blinking.

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