Chinese star Li Na remained tight-lipped Sunday about her decision to participate in Japan’s Pan Pacific Open this week as a political crisis between the two countries deepens. Last year’s French Open winner remained stoney-faced and refused to respond to questions about the row over tiny islands in the East China Sea, causing moments of awkward silence. Had she thought about skipping the tournament? Did she feel pressured to come, after Chinese badminton players decided not to attend the Japan Open? Li only acknowledged that she was following a tour schedule that was set a year ago, while officials at the $2.17 m event stood by to block questions with any hint of diplomatic connotations.
