China’s Li Na advanced to the final of the Australian Open for the second straight year after the world number four ended the magnificent run of Canadian teen Eugenie Bouchard in the semifinals on Thursday. The Chinese tennis star is now just a match away from winning her second career Grand Slam title.
After a relatively easy first set, Li Na had to step up her game in the second after Bouchard started fighting back but eventually the more matured player won with a 6-2, 6-4 scoreline.
“I think I played very well at the beginning of the match,” Li said. “The second set was a little bit tight, because I was feeling like maybe I already had one foot in the final, but she also played so well.
“I just kept trying to play point by point because the match still had to continue.”
This is Li’s fourth Grand Slam final, following her two Australian Open final losses in 2011 and 2013 and her Slam win at the French Open in 2013. She’s hoping that her third visit in Melbourne final will result with a win.
“It’s my third time in the final here, so I think I’m getting pretty close to the trophy,” Li said. “At least I’ll try not to fall down this time, because last year in the final I thought I was playing well but I can only say I was unlucky because I was falling down twice. This time I’ll try to enjoy it and stay healthy.”
Bouchard has gained a lot of following during the fornight and stated that she thinks she hasn’t exceeded her expectations.
“I wouldn’t say I exceeded my expectations, but I’m happy with how I did,” Bouchard said. “I always want to do better. To me it’s not a surprise. I’ve been working hard my whole life to do this, to play at Grand Slams and do well. It’s not an overnight thing and it’s not a surprise to me.
“I’m just going to go back to the practice courts and keep working hard.”
Li Na will next face Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the title match on Saturday.
