Australian Open 2011 – Day Eleven Update

Written by: Staff on 27th January 2011

Australian Open 2011 – Day Eleven Update

Na Li (CHN) |

World No.11 Na Li has become the first Chinese player in history to reach a Grand Slam tournament final after defeating top seed Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) on day eleven of the Australian Open.

For the second consecutive year, Li faced the world No.1 in the semifinals of the Australian Open but will now have the chance to claim her maiden Grand Slam title after upsetting Wozniacki in a tense three set semifinal in Rod Laver Arena.

Li will face No.3 seed Kim Clijsters (BEL) in the final, who defeated No.2 seed Vera Zvonareva (RUS) in straight sets and will be hoping to win her first ever Australian Open and third Grand Slam title since returning to the court.

In the Australian Open Junior Championships, No.1 boys’ seed Jiri Vesely (CZE) progressed to the semifinals after defeating Mitchell Krueger (USA) while No.2 girls’ seed An-Sophie Mestach (BEL) was too strong for No.11 seed Danka Kovinic (MNE) in the quarterfinals. Australian junior Luke Saville continued his stellar form by defeating Lucas Pouille (FRA) in straight sets to reach the final four of the tournament.

The top two seeds in the men’s and women’s draws of the Australian Open Wheelchair Championships enjoyed straight sets victories in their semifinals, with world No.1 Shingo Kunieda (JPN) to meet No.2 seedStephane Houdet (FRA) and Esther Vergeer (NED) to face Australian star Daniela Di Toro (AUS) in the finals.

Click here for high-resolution images from today’s play.

Topics: Li Na