Li Na's road to the Australian Open final

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As the 9th seed, Li Na's first opponent was Sofia Arvidsson from Swede. Li Na came out strongly and won the first set easily 6-1. the Chinese veteran was then able to pull out the victory with a 7-5 second set win, to move to round two.

Her next opponent was Russian Evgeniya Rodina. Li, once again got off to a quick start in round two. She took the first set 6-3, and then continued the momentum in the second...taking it 6-2 to enter round three.

And in the third, the Chinese would take on Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of Czech Republic.

Li dominated the match with powerful ground strokes, closing out the first set 6-2, and only allowed one game in the second set, winning again 6-1.

Round four brought the number 9 Li up against 8th seeded Victoria Azarenka from Belarus with a spot in this year's quarterfinals at stake.

Li jumped out to a 5-3 lead and wrapped up the first set 6-3 with a service winner.

Li, wore Azarenka down in the second set...eventually breaking the Belarussian's serve in the ninth game to take the match 6-3, 6-3 to move on the final 8.

The quarter-finals brought Li a new opponent, world No.33 Andrea Petkovic of Germany.

She dropped the first two games to trail the German 2-love, but her fierce, flat ball-striking began to dictate the set. Li, would win six straight games and take the first set 6-2.

Li would fall behind 2-love again in set two, but like the first...she dominated the remainder of the second. Li, taking set two 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Aussie Open for the second consecutive year.

And Li ran into the world number one Ca! roline W ozniaki for a place in the finals.

The Dane closed out the first set 6-3...

Wozniaki opened the second set with a 4-2 lead. But Li battled back to win the second 7-5 and force a deciding third, and there she stood firm, winning 6-3 to move on to her first Grand Slam final.

In the final, Li Na will meet Kim Clisters. Li Na came into the Australian Open, fresh off a win over the Belgian in the finals of the Sydney International. Li, winning her fourth career WTA title.

Heading into their match in Sydney, Li had only registered one win in five career tries against the three-time U-S Open champ.

But on that day, Li would win in straight sets.

Now, these two meet again in the biggest match of Li Na's life as she attempts to become China's first grand slam winner.

Li Na makes a history in the Australian Open final.



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