Li Na was beaten in the semifinals at the Australian Open last year by eventual winner Serena Williams.
HIGHLIGHTS OF HISTORY
- Li Na is better than last year by reaching the final of Australian Open
- Chinese upset ninth seed saving match point at number one global Caroline Wozniacki 1
- The 28 years will play U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters in the fight for the title Saturday
- Clijsters is in second place in the world rankings after beating Vera Zvonareva
(AP) - Li Na in the history Thursday as the first tennis player to Asian countries from the period of China to reach the final of a Grand Slam at the Open, ending the hopes Australian world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
The 28-year, half a beaten finalist in Melbourne last year, resumed at 3-6 to win 7-5 6-3 in 2 hours and 35 minutes, when she saved a match point in the second set .
Wozniacki looks, her first Grand Slam title, but led 5-4 Li replied with a superb forehand along the line to escape and set up a confrontation with former No. 1 Kim Clijsters.
Belgium advanced to the Australian Open final for the second time with a 6-3 6-3 to Vera Zvonareva, who is to lift Russia into second place in the world rankings.
It is a very good experience for my whole life, because many players play a long time but never the final of a Grand Slam
- Na Li
Last year, Li and Zheng Jie both farmer in the semifinals to unprecedented success of Chinese players, and is now enjoying our experience Saturday against three SU Clijsters time Open champion.
No players male or female from Asia, the final Grand Slam, an event has occurred since the fully professional era began in 1968.
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"It's good for me, for my team and for Chinese tennis," the ninth seed WTA Tour Web site said after the match against a top-ranked player for the second time in his career after the victory of 2008, more Serena Williams in Stuttgart.
"It's a good experience for my whole life, because many players play a long time but never the final of a Grand Slam."
The 20-year Wozniacki, the 2010 season ending championship-winning hopes to bounce back from disappointment.
"I had a match point and I did not take it. Sometimes tennis a shot can change everything, "the Dane, runner-up told the U.S. Open of 2009.
"It is quite difficult to get through it. I just need to get back on the training pitch and work. Hopefully I'll get many more chances."
Clijsters is seeking her second successive Grand Slam title, but his first in Melbourne after losing 2004 final.
The 27-year-old lost three of their last four meetings with Zvonareva, but this time powered to victory in one hour and 13 minutes
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