Australian Open: Women's Final preview

China's Li Na will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself on Saturday in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne.

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in action - AAP-1.jpg
(Transcript from World News Australia Radio)

China's Li Na will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself on Saturday in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne.

The three-time Australian Open finalist will face off with Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova on Rod Laver Arena.

(Click on audio tab above to hear full item)

Santilla Chingaipe has more.

Li Na was runner-up against Kim Klijsters of Belgium in the 2011 Australian Open final, and then lost again last year to the Belarusian, Victoria Azarenka.

This year, Li Na took just under an hour and a half to defeat Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard in the first semi-final.

 And now she's hoping the third time's a charm in Saturday's final.

"I think is the third time, so pretty close to the trophy. Yeah, at least I try to not falling down this time, because last year in the final I think I play well but I only can say unlucky because falling down twice. At least I try enjoy and staying healthy."

Li Na's opponent, Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova is the first Slovak to appear in any Grand Slam final.

She beat 5th seed Agnieska Radwanska in straight sets in her semi-final.

Cibulkova says she knows she has a tough task trying to beat the 2011 French Open winner.

"You know, she been in the finals of Grand Slam many times. She already won a Grand Slam, so she know how it is. I'm playing finals, so that's something. It's like a dream. So I will go just out there and play my best, try to do my best."

Li Na's ranking and experience weigh in her favour, having beaten Cibulkova all four times they've previously met.

But not since Margaret Court won in 1973 has any woman over the age of 30 claimed an Australian Open crown.

For Li Na, Saturday's final is just as special as every other.

"The first time I came to the finals, I just feel so exciting. So when the problem is come to me, how you say, I cannot face to because nobody can help me. But I was play more and more. I got more experience. So right now final is special, you know. Final is final, but still just one match. So I still have to hit the ball to try to do my best, yeah. I cannot wait for my opponent to make a mistake."

In a sport that features many tall players, attention has been drawn to the fact that Dominika Cibulkova isn't among them.

But she says height isn't everything.

"It's not about how tall are you. Even if you are tall, it doesn't mean that you are 100% going to make it, you know. It's just you have to really want something and just believe in it, you know. There is nothing more important than this."

 

 

 


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Source: World News Australia


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