Rome, Italy, 14 May 2014 | tennis.com.au

Facing a strong opponent and even tougher weather conditions, Casey Dellacqua has bowed out of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome on Tuesday night.

Second seed Li Na ended the Australian’s run at the WTA Premier event with a 6-1 6-4 triumph, her 500th career victory.

That win looked like it may not eventuate, with play suspended during the match due to horrendous weather conditions; at one stage, clouds of clay dust and courtside objects flew across the court in the windy, chilly conditions.

When they returned to court, Dellacqua made a better fist of the second round contest, but it wasn’t enough to stop her Chinese opponent smacking 23 winners en route to victory in one hour and 17 minutes.

Li will next face the winner of the match between Dellacqua’s compatriot Sam Stosur and Russia’s Elena Vesnina.