Saying “It’s sport” on her Facebook page, Petra Kvitova consoled herself after a 1-6 7-5 6-2 loss to Li Na in the semifinals of the Apia International Sydney. As you know, Kvitova could have become No.1 ahead of the Australian Open had she won the title in Sydney.
Defending champion Li seemed to be free falling towards defeat when Kvitova won the first set by giving up only one game and broke in the beginning of the following set to lead 3-1. However, the French Open champion Li fearlessly clawed back into the match and scored her fourth victory of the week, after wins over Ekatarina Makarova, Chanelle Scheepers and Lucie Safarova. Remember that in the entire post-French Open part of last season, i.e. since June, Li won a total of only seven matches.
Li’s opponent in the final will be Victoria Azarenka, who also overcame a 6-1 deficit to beat Agnieszka Radwanska 1-6 6-3 6-2, the conqueror of No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the previous round. Li is 4-2 in career meetings with Azarenka, but it was Azarenka who handily won their last clash 6-2 6-2 at the WTA Championships at the end of 2011. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
Well, at least Li is winning again. 🙂
Hoping for Li to go one better again in Aussie Open this year 🙂
I would love to see a repeat final of last year but with Li holding the trophy this time rather than Kim. Although I like Kim too….
Li is playing very well at the moment and she seems to have her confidence back. It was a real gritty performance to come back against a free flowing Kvitova although she did have a mental lapse in the second set.
It should be a good final and a very tough one to call. When Li has been playing well before, she has normally eased past Azarenka… however i’m leaning more towards Azarenka!