• Australian Open, Day 13

Triumphant Clijsters denies Li historic victory

ESPN staff
January 29, 2011
Kim Clijsters was made to work hard by Li Na © PA Photos
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Kim Clijsters claimed the fourth grand slam title of her career, and her first at the Australian Open, after coming from behing to beat Li Na in three sets.

The No. 3 seed had not dropped a set prior to the final, but she was forced to dig deep against Li, playing in her first grand slam final, before eventually sealing the third major title since her 2009 comeback with a 3-6 6-3 6-3 win.

The 27-year-old has hinted that this will be her last full year on tour, and that the match was likely to be her last competitively in Australia, and she bowed out in style to deny Li an historic victory. Clijsters' win sees her close in on Caroline Wozniacki's world No. 1 ranking, nearly five years after her last spell as the top-ranked player.

The Belgian raced out of the blocks, winning the first eight points to storm to a 2-0 lead, but Li, the first Chinese player to reach a grand slam final, finally shook off a bout of nerves and fought back to 2-2, before claiming four games on the bounce to snatch the opening set.

Both players struggled to hold serve in second set, as the momentum swung back and forth between the pair. Trailing 3-2 in the second, Clijsters regained her composure, and reeled off four games to take the match to a decider.

For the third time, Clijsters took an early lead, only to be pegged back for the third time. But she ended the match in the same vein in which she started it, and when Li hit a return wide, Clijsters raised her arms in triumph.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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