World No 2 Maria Sharapova was finally defeated by Chinese in-form player Li Na rather tamely. The Russian beauty lost in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to Li without displaying her usual game. Having lost just 9 games in the tournament, Sharapova emerged as the clear favorite to win the match. However, the fighting spirit put on by the Chinese player had cost the entire match for Sharapova. It was a perfect Australian Open semi-finals that ardent tennis fans were looking forward to. Perhaps, this would be the second final for the oriental star that she would like to end up on a winning note.
Australian Open 2011 season saw the ouster of Li after Belgian beauty Kim Clijsters overpowered her to win the title. However, there is every possibility that such a result cannot be repeated considering the tremendous form in which the Chinese beauty is currently in. It must have taken enough courage for Li to forget that bitter moments of Melbourne Park outcome to come and play with such strong determination. More specifically, winning against the unheralded by totally dominating the entire match is itself like securing the title. It was a battle of mind games that Li has won finally.
Li will now be pitted against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, which is expected to be a perfect final. Igniting a strong fight at the Rod Laver Arena, it was Li who fired all cylinders to leave no stone unturned in order to secure a win against Sharapova for sure. It was exactly two years that Li has suffered a humiliating loss at the hands of the Belgian. The most saddening part was that she lost when she was in the driver’s seat after winning the first set. It was evident then that pressure has taken the toll upon her, which was evident after she showed her dissent upon the Chinese spectators.
"(In) 2011, (the) first time to the grand slam final, I was a little bit shocked because I didn't know what I should do," Li told reporters.
"Also no one told me what I should do on the court. But this time I've got more experience, so I think I should be better."
After losing to Clijsters made Li so determined that she went to secure her career’s major win at Roland Garros in perfect way. It took 18 long months for 30-year-old Li to discover herself from a new facet and secure one of the most memorable wins of her career and to venture again into Australian Open. On the other hand, it was the dubious semi-final win of Azarenka that has raised many an eyebrow. This gives maximum chance for the Chinese star player to secure a win against the Belarusian for sure.
“I think she played a really great match. She was certainly much more aggressive than I was, dictating the play. I was always on the defense," Sharapova told reporters.
"There's no reason why she can't win (the title)." Definitely, Li Na has got a way to go now.
