Kim Clijsters survived a tough first set and-a-half to triumph over China’s Li Na, earning the Belgian her first Australian Open championship and her fourth grand slam title with a 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 win.
Clijsters won through depth and mental toughness; Li hit as hard or harder, but her game was one-dimensional. When Clijsters switched up her tactics, Li couldn’t adjust, and when she couldn’t adjust, she lost her focus.
Clijsters ran hard and hit hard, but ultimately it was her ability to keep focused and let Li beat herself, which gave the No. 3-seeded Belgian the win.
Clijsters did lose her composure briefly after the match, crying into her towel as she sat absorbing the reality of her victory. This was her ninth attempt to win the title.
After the match Clijsters congratulated Li Na, saying, “I think we will have a lot of tough battles to come; hopefully … a few more grand slam finals together would be nice”
Clijsters won through depth and mental toughness; Li hit as hard or harder, but her game was one-dimensional. When Clijsters switched up her tactics, Li couldn’t adjust, and when she couldn’t adjust, she lost her focus.
Clijsters ran hard and hit hard, but ultimately it was her ability to keep focused and let Li beat herself, which gave the No. 3-seeded Belgian the win.
Clijsters did lose her composure briefly after the match, crying into her towel as she sat absorbing the reality of her victory. This was her ninth attempt to win the title.
After the match Clijsters congratulated Li Na, saying, “I think we will have a lot of tough battles to come; hopefully … a few more grand slam finals together would be nice”
