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Chinese Li Na emerged as a serious Australian Open threat, after beating Belgian Kim Clijsters in an extraordinary final at the Sydney International on Friday.
Li staged a remarkable recovery to sap Clijsters' confidence on the eve of the Australian Open with a most improbable 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over the three-time U.S. Open champion.
The eighth-seeded Li took exactly 90 minutes to beat Clijster on Friday and claim the fourth Women's Tennis Association (WTA) title of her career.
Clijsters, who flayed 27 unforced errors and lost 13 of the last 17 games, lamented her untimely poor form, but praised Li for her spirited comeback.
"We've had some really tough battles in the past," Clijsters told ABC Sports on Friday. "I didn't played my best tonight, but she did and she deserved to win."
Li, who became the first Chinese ever to win a Premier title, said the tennis gods shone on her.
"I am so lucky to win," she told ABC Sports. "I'd like to thank my team. They are definitely the best team for me."
Clijsters was not only seeking her third Sydney title and 41st career title, she also would have moved back to No.2 in the world with a win on Friday night.
Li will stay ranked No.11 in the world despite Friday's result.
Clijsters will meet former world number one Dinara Safina next week in the first round of Australian Open in Melbourne.
XINHUA
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