LONDON - CHINA'S Li Na is facing a battle of the tattoos in the second round at Wimbledon, but said if she had her way, her controversial body art would be wiped off.

The number 19 seed has a design etched on her chest - something which was not universally well received in her homeland, where tattoos have long been considered taboo.

She faces Belarussian world number 82 Olga Govortsova, who has three stars tattooed on her inner left forearm, in her quest for a third round spot at Wimbledon.

However, though tattoos are growing in acceptance in China and Li has finally become comfortable showing it off on the tennis court, she said might get tired of seeing it.

But after her sportswear manufacturer said they had no problem with her revealing it, she decided to take the plunge and be positive about showing it off.

Li made the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2006 and feels she is running out of chances to top her best-ever Grand Slam performance.

The right-hander feels this year could be her best shot at going all the way in a major.

Right now if I lose this time, I lose a chance.' Li eased into the second round with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 victory over Kazakhstan's Galina Voskoboeva on Tuesday.

She was taken to a tie break in the first set but her opponent, ranked 89 in the world, crumbled in the second to lose in an hour and 14 minutes on Court 6.

Li beat her next opponent Govortsova in the French Open third round this year, but will not be looking any further in the Wimbledon draw to see who else stands in her way. -- AFP