Li Na, Mary Pierce, Kafelnikov head to Tennis Hall of Fame

Li Na already was the first tennis player born in Asia to win a Grand Slam singles title. Now she will be the first enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Li was joined by Mary Pierce and Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the hall's Class of 2019, which was announced Monday at the Australian Open.

All three won a pair of major titles — one at Melbourne Park and the other at Roland Garros.

FILE- In this Jan. 20, 2015, file photo retired tennis championship Li Na of China, speaks at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Li Na is the first player from Asia elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She joins Mary Pierce and Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the Class of 2019, which was announced Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the Australian Open. (AP PhotoMark Baker, File)

Li retired in 2014 at age 32 because of recurring knee injuries, eight months after winning that year's Australian Open and rising to a career-high No. 2 in the WTA ranking. Her first Slam trophy came at the 2011 French Open, where she defeated four top-10 opponents along the way. She also was the runner-up in Australia twice.

Those on-court achievements, along with Li's engaging personality, helped spur interest in tennis at home in China.

"I have loved seeing the sport grow in China," Li said in a statement released by the hall, "and I'm proud to be part of that history."

FILE- In this June 2, 2005, file photo France's Mary Pierce smiles as she plays Russia's Ellena Likhovtseva during their semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Pierce joins Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Li Na in the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2019, which was announced Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the Australian Open. (AP PhotoLionel Cironneau, File)

Pierce's title at the 2000 French Open was the most recent in singles for a French player at Roland Garros; she also won a doubles title there that year.

Her other Grand Slam singles title came at the 1995 Australian Open, and she helped France win two Fed Cup titles.

Kafelnikov is the last man to win singles and doubles championships at the same Grand Slam tournament, managing to do that at the French Open in 1996. He also won the singles title at the 1999 Australian Open, finished with a total of four major doubles trophies, reached No. 1 in the ranking and won a gold medal for Russia at the 2000 Olympics.

FILE- In this Aug. 30, 2006, file photo Mary Pierce of France returns a shot to Elena Vesnina of Russia at the US Open tennis tournament in New York. Pierce joins Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Li Na in the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2019, which was announced Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at the Australian Open. (AP PhotoEd Betz, File)

The hall selection process included a fan vote for the first time, via online balloting. As in the past, the primary voters were members of the Hall of Fame, journalists and tennis historians.

Nominees needed to be named on at least 75 percent of the ballots. Among those who didn't get in this time were Goran Ivanisevic, Conchita Martinez, Thomas Muster, Jonas Bjorkman and Sergi Bruguera.

The induction ceremony is July 20 at the hall in Newport, Rhode Island.

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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)