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.
体坛英语资讯:China tied with Russia 2-2 in womens soccer friendly
体坛英语资讯:Jamaican sprinter Powell withdraws from Diamond League London leg
体坛英语资讯:All Premier League matches except Tottenhams to go on schedule
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid thump Chinese league leader Guangzhou Evergrande
体坛英语资讯:Brazil earns a spot in the 2011 FIFA World Cup of Beach Soccer
体坛英语资讯:Urban warzone needs fixing to avoid impact on London Olympics
体坛英语资讯:Hollywood stars outshine Australian theatre awards
体坛英语资讯:World No. 5 Chen suffers first round exit at badminton worlds
体坛英语资讯:Zheng Jie advances to Round 2 as top seeds toppled by unseeded rivals
体坛英语资讯:One year to go, Rogge invites worlds athletes to London Olympics
体坛英语资讯:Robles leads Cuban team to world athletics championships
体坛英语资讯:Widespread demonstrations mark World Cup draw
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid to help Chinese build the countrys largest academy
体坛英语资讯:Chinas soccer, basketball, volleyball face tougher battles for Olympic berths
体坛英语资讯:Germany defeats Brazil 3-2 at friendly
体坛英语资讯:Inter coach Gasperini confident of beating AC Milan in Italian Super Cup
体坛英语资讯:Tiger Woods Back in Action After Nearly 3 Months
体坛英语资讯:Defending champion Chen Jin fights for every match
体坛英语资讯:Schwarzenegger celebrates 64th birthday With Maria Shriver
体坛英语资讯:Top teams earn victories at German Bundesliga opener
体坛英语资讯:Justin returns to fray with 67
体坛英语资讯:Six match officials banned for life by FIFA
体坛英语资讯:Yi Jianlian to play Stankovic Cup but for limited minutes
体坛英语资讯:Jamaican double at Budapest athletics grand prix
体坛英语资讯:Atletico-PR surprises Santos 3-2
体坛英语资讯:Dutch satisfied with World Cup qualification draw
体坛英语资讯:Serbia beats China in womens volleyball Grand Prix
体坛英语资讯:Stekelenburg agrees contract with AS Roma
体坛英语资讯:Britain Begins One-Year Countdown to London Olympics
体坛英语资讯:Clijsters doubtful for U.S. Open title defense