Belgium’s Kim Clijsters came back from a set down to defeat Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday, eliminating the Chinese hopes of a first ever Grand Slam singles title.
Clijsters led 4-2 in head-to-head matches before the final, but the most recent win went to Li who beat Clijsters 7-6, 6-3 in the Sydney International final two weeks ago after Kim led 5-0 in the first set.
Kim came out in command early in the final and got on top of Li quick, winning eight straight points to take a 2-0 lead before Li found her nerves, and settled down. Li broke Kim twice to take a 4-3 lead, and then closed out the first set with another break of serve, the first and only set that Kim lost during this years Australian Open.
Li was winning the battle of forehand winners, and mixed in some excellent angled volleys when she had the opportunity to get to the net. Li won most of the points she came to net on, but found it difficult to get to net often with Kim staying close to the baseline and hitting many deep balls.
Li who hits a very aggressive ball with little margin for error was showing no signs of nerves after the first two games. She settled in nicely and looked like she was going to out battle Kim.
They’re were plenty of service breaks through out the match with both players stepping in being aggressive and talking chances on their return of serve. 4 straight breaks of serve to open the second set. Down 3-2 in the second set, Kim finally changed her game plan. She mixed in many more slice shots from her backhand side and more off pace balls, which definitely made it harder for Li to generate the pace she loves so much. Li was using Kim’s pace to smack winners and keep Kim on her heels in the first set and a half.
This change in strategy was the key for Clijsters who proceeded to win 5 straight games to take the second set and a 2-0 lead in the third. Li fought back and broke Kim to get back on serve 1-2 in the third, but it was a bit too late.
It appeared that Li may be getting frustrated down the stretch of the match and had to ask the chair umpire twice for help with the distracting crowd. Once asking that she tell the Chinese fans to quit telling her how to play tennis! The other was a request for no flash photography. Li almost seemed desperate late in the match, asking for a Hawkeye view of two line calls that were way in.
Kim finished the match in the same way she started, winning 4 points in a row to take her 4th Grand Slam title, and her 41st singles title of her career. It was the richest day in woman’s tennis history with Clijsters taking home $2.2 million in prize money.
Clijsters ranking will rise to #2 after this title, and Li’s will rise to a career high #7. This was Li’s first loss in 2011.
When it was over, Kim was tearful and took a moment with her head in her towel to compose herself. In her trophy acceptance speech she told her fans that she’s finally earned her “Aussie Kim” title by wining the Australian Open.
It’s pretty clear that Clijsters is unaware that the “Aussie Kim” tag reflects mild cynicism rather than wild popularity: cf “Aussie Hana” Mandlikova and “Aussie Joe” Bugner.