Li Na becomes the first Chinese player to make it to a Grand Slam final, as she kicked out world No.1 Catholine Wozniacki 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in Thursday's semifinal of Australia Open.
The Chinese woman spent two hours and 34 minutes to end Wozniacki's bid to win a title in Australian Open for the first time.
Both players were tight in the opening games but after the nerves settled, Wozniacki played her game smoothly and won the first set 6-3 in 39 minutes.
In the beginning of second set, the world No.1's consistency impressed, with Li hit 32 unforced errors throughout the set to virtually gift the Danish lead on 4-2. However, Li slowly got use to her opponent's pace, and managed fight back and win the tight set 7-5 in 65 minutes.
Third set begins with all excitements, with the pair looks to have staged their best performance, not allowing each other to win each game. Li then managed to convert her only match point to end the game.
"I am so happy, to become the first Chinese player to make it to a Grand Slam final," Li told reporters in Melbourne after the match. "I'll always be the first one."
The 28-year-old Li has become a crowd favorite in Australian Open with highly talented and professional manner on the court to crash out her opponents. And after the game she turns to a nice, smart lady with quick wit and sharp sense of humor.
Li then went on to admit that this semifinal match was a bit nervous for her, as she did not have good sleep last night because of her husband's snoring.
When asked by a journalist what gave her the power and determination to win the tight match after she did not play too well at the beginning, Li joked that it was the prize money.
Having reached the Grand Slam final, Li is projected to return to world' s top 10 next week at No.7. She claimed the championship in Sydney International earlier this month by defeating three-time U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Li will become No.5 if she win the title. A Grand Slam win would also inspire a rush of new tennis players in China.
She will next face either Kim Clijsters or Vera Zvonareva.