 Posted: Tue 11:55, 28 Jan 2014 Post subject: Third time lucky for Li Na at Australian Open |
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The Chinese tennis trailblazer was a point away from exiting in the third round but survived against Lucie Safarova and didn't lose another set the rest of the tournament. The world No. 4 beat diminutive dynamo Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 in Saturday's final to collect a second grand slam title following her success at the 2011 French Open. Li also made it third time lucky in Melbourne after defeats in the 2011 and 2013 finale,[url=http://www.oksko.com/]Nike Sko[/url]. "At least, you know, I made it,[url=http://www.oksko.com/nike-free-38]Billige Nike Free[/url]," Li told reporters. "Not like the last two times, always feeling (there was) one more step. But this time I'm so proud myself." The 31-year-old was a popular champion -- receiving the lion's share of applause when the players were introduced at Rod Laver Arena -- and likely attracted even more fans thanks to her comical post-match speech on court. Li began by thanking her agent, Max Eisenbud, who also represents Maria Sharapova. "Max, my agent, thanks for making me rich," said Li, named last year by Forbes as the third richest female athlete in the world behind Sharapova and Serena Williams with takings of $18.2 million. Li later mentioned her husband Jiang Shan, who in the past has been the butt of the baseliner's jokes. "Now of course my husband is even famous in China," she said. "You are a nice guy. Also you are so lucky to find me!" The 5-foot-3 Cibulkova was appearing in her maiden grand slam final and a victory would have made the 24th-ranked Slovakian the joint shortest singles winner at a major in the Open Era. No one would have begrudged her the title,[url=http://www.oksko.com/nike-shox-34]Nike Shox[/url], too, since she had topped four players inside the top 20 including Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska. Li, meanwhile,[url=http://www.oksko.com/air-max-33]Nike Air Max[/url], didn't face anyone inside the top 20. "This was just a fantastic two weeks of my life," said Cibulkova, who cried as she addressed the crowd. "This means a lot for our country and I'm happy I could be the one here for Slovakia. "Maybe tomorrow morning I will be 100% proud of myself,[url=http://www.oksko.com/nike-shox-34]Billige Nike Shox[/url]," she later told reporters. "But now it's just maybe like 50%." Expected to defeat Cibulkova -- she had won all four previous meetings with the 24-year-old -- Li proceeded to break early and took a 2-0 lead,[url=http://www.oksko.com/air-max-33]Billige Nike Air Max[/url]. |
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