Li Na’s post-match humour has become as big a part of the Australian Open as 40C heatwaves and Lleyton Hewitt five-set marathons and in her finest moment here the 31-year-old Chinese did not disappoint. After beating Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 6-0 to claim her second Grand Slam title, Li took the microphone and thanked, among others, her agent, Max Eisenbud, and her husband, Jiang Shan.
“Max, my agent,” Li said. “He made me rich. Thanks a lot.” Turning to Jiang, who in the past has been the butt of her jokes about his snoring and their credit card, Li said: “Thanks to my husband, now so famous in China. He’s my hitting partner, fixes the drinks, fixes the rackets. You do a lot of jobs. Thanks a lot. You are a nice guy. You were lucky to find me.”
The Australian Open markets itself as the “Grand Slam of Asia-Pacific” and could hardly have had a more popular champion, barring a home player. Li’s warm smile and engaging sense of humour have endeared her to the public here. After her defeats in the finals of 2011 and 2013, the world No 4 had the overwhelming support of the crowd as she took on a 24-year-old opponent playing in her first Grand Slam final.
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Cibulkova, the first player representing Slovakia to play in a Grand Slam singles final, had a much more difficult route to the final. The world No 24 knocked out four higher-ranked opponents, including Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska, while Li, who will climb to No 3 in the world rankings tomorrow, had not faced any top-20 players.
The early exchanges were littered with mistakes. Cibulkova double-faulted on break point in the opening game and Li followed suit five games later. In her first three service games Li put just two of her 16 first serves in court. After two more breaks of serve the first set went to a tie-break, at which stage Li took command. Having won the first two points with a forehand return and a thumping backhand, Li won the tie-break 7-3, Cibulkova mis-hitting a backhand on the second set point.
The first set had taken 70 minutes, but the second lasted less than half an hour as Li settled into the consistent hitting that has become her hallmark. Although she has developed more of an all-court game since Carlos Rodriguez became her coach, her greatest strengths remain her athleticism, strength and ball striking.
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Australian Open 2014: The best images from Melbourne
1/75 24 January 2014
Dominika Cibulkova pictured ahead of the Australian Open final
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2/75 24 January 2014
Roger Federer talks to the press following his semi-final defeat to Nadal
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3/75 24 January 2014
Rafael Nadal grimaces at his hand during his semi-final win over Federer
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4/75 24 January 2014
Federer pictured during his semi-final defeat to Nadal
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5/75 24 January 2014
Nadal pictured during his semi-final with Federer
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6/75 24 January 2014
Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Federer
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7/75 23 January 2014
Roger Federer of Switzerland trains in a practice session as his coach, Stefan Edberg watches
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8/75 23 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their semi-final meeting
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9/75 23 January 2014
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic pictured in his semi-final defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland
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10/75 23 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland pictured during his victory over Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their semi-final meeting
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11/75 23 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland pictured during his victory over Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their semi-final meeting
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12/75 Winner-Dominika-Cibulkova-o.jpg
Winner Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia (L) applauds as her opponent Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland (C) leaves after their women's singles semi-final match
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13/75 23 January 2014
Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after beating Agnieszka Radwanska to progress to the Australian Open final
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14/75 23 January 2014
Na Li of China hands a ballboy a towel in her semifinal match against Eugenie Bouchard
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15/75 23 January 2014
Winner Li Na of China (L) shakes hands with Eugenie Bouchard of Canada after their women's singles semi-final match
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16/75 23 January 2014
Eugenie Bouchard of Canada is silhouetted on the court during her loss to Li Na of China in their women's singles semi-final match
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17/75 22 January 2014
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher tests his tennis skills in Melbourne
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18/75 22 January 2014
Andy Murray pictured during his defeat to Roger Federer
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19/75 22 January 2014
Roger Federer strikes a forehand during his match against Andy Murray
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20/75 22 January 2014
Fans of Roger Federer watch on during his quarter-final with Andy Murray
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21/75 22 January 2014
Andy Murray shows his frustration in the quarter-final against Roger Federer
GETTY IMAGES
22/75 22 January 2014
Rafael Nadal of Spain pictured during his quarter-final match against Grigor Dimitrov
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23/75 22 January 2014
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter-final match against Grigor Dimitrov
GETTY IMAGES
24/75 22 January 2014
Belarus's Victoria Azarenka (L) walks on court during her women's singles match against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska
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25/75 22 January 2014
Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after victory in her women's singles quarter-final against Romania's Simona Halep
GETTY IMAGES
26/75 22 January 2014
Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after victory in her women's singles quarter-final against Romania's Simona Halep
GETTY IMAGES
27/75 21 January 2014
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his men's singles match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka on day nine
GETTY IMAGES
28/75 21 January 2014
Novak Djokovic of Serbia gets changed in his quarter-final defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka
GETTY IMAGES
29/75 21 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland sits down during a rain delay in his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia
GETTY IMAGES
30/75 21 January 2014
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia speaks to the umpire during her quarter-final defeat to Eugenie Bouchard of Canada
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31/75 21 January 2014
Eugenie Bouchard in action during her Australian Open quarter-final victory over Ana Ivanovic
GETTY IMAGES
32/75 21 January 2014
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia reacts to a point to Eugenie Bouchard of Canada during her defeat at the quarter-final stage
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33/75 21 January 2014
Na Li of China is interview on court after winning her quarterfinal match against Flavia Pennetta
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34/75 21 January 2014
Czech tennis star Tomas Berdych beat third seed David Ferrer to move into the Australian Open semi-finals
GETTY IMAGES
35/75 20 January 2014
Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his fourth round win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
GETTY IMAGES
36/75 20 January 2014
Andy Murray celebrates his Australian Open victory over Stephane Robert
GETTY IMAGES
37/75 20 January 2014
Andy Murray gives away his racket which he broke during his victory over Stephane Robert
GETTY IMAGES
38/75 20 January 2014
Rafael Nadal progressed to the Australian Open quarter-finals with victory over Kei Nishikori
GETTY IMAGES
39/75 20 January 2014
Maria Sharapova crashed out of the Australian Open in a shock loss to Dominika Cibulkova
GETTY IMAGES
40/75 20 January 2014
Victoria Azarenka breezes past Sloane Stephens in the Australian Open fourth round
GETTY IMAGES
41/75 19 January 2014
42/75 19 January 2014
Serena Williams reacts during her defeat by Ana Ivanovic at the Australia Open on Sunday
GETTY IMAGES
43/75 18 January 2014
Comedian Jimmy Carr celebrates the victory of Andy Murray of Great Britain over Feliciano Lopez of Spain
PA
44/75 18 January 2014
Andy Murray of Great Britain signs autographs after winning his third round match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain
GETTY
45/75 18 January 2014
Andy Murray of Britain changes his shirt during a break in his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain
EPA
46/75 17 January 2014
Officials dry the court after a rain delay stopped play during the third round match between Samantha Stosur of Australia and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia
GETTY IMAGES
47/75 17 January 2014
Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves in his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan
GETTY IMAGES
48/75 17 January 2014
Serbia's Ana Ivanovic reacts after victory in her women's singles match against Australia's Samantha Stosur on day five of the 2014 Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
49/75 17 January 2014
Dustin Brown of Germany in action in his first round doubles match with Gael Monfils of France against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain
GETTY IMAGES
50/75 17 January 2014
Na Li of China serves in her third round match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic
GETTY IMAGES
51/75 17 January 2014
An Australian fan watches on during the third round match between Casey Dellacqua of Australia and Jie Zheng of China
GETTY IMAGES
52/75 17 January 2014
Serena Williams celebrates her third round victory over Daniela Hantuchova at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
53/75 16 January 2014
Lightning strikes over Melbourne Park during a first round doubles match
GETTY IMAGES
54/75 16 January 2014
The courts at the Australian Open are so hot that you can boil an egg on the surface
Twitter/@sunriseon7
55/75 16 January 2014
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a forehand in her second round victory over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic
GETTY IMAGES
56/75 16 January 2014
Maria Sharapova calls for clarity over the extreme heat ruling that saw play at the Australian Open suspended
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57/75 16 January 2014
Sharapova celebrates her victory over Karin Knapp in the Australian Open second round
GETTY IMAGES
58/75 16 January 2014
Jamie Murray (L) suffered from heat stroke following his victory with doubles partner John Peers (R) over Matt Reid and Luke Saville at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
59/75 16 January 2014
Rafael Nadal celebrates his second round victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
60/75 15 January 2014
Ross Hutchins (R) and Colin Fleming (L) progressed to the second round of the Australian Open on the former's return to Grand Slam action after his battle with cancer
GETTY IMAGES
61/75 15 January 2014
Serena Williams progressed to the third round of the Australian Open via a 6-1 6-2 victory over Vesna Dolonc
GETTY IMAGES
62/75 15 January 2014
Novak Djokovic celebrates his second round victory over Leonardo Mayer
GETTY IMAGES
63/75 15 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka, who has no connection to a betting investigation taking place in Melbourne, walks out onto court at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
64/75 14 January 2014
A ballboy faints in the heat, as Melbourne heads towards 43 degrees celsius during day two of the 2014 Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
65/75 14 January 2014
Spain's Rafael Nadal (L) comforts Australia's Bernard Tomic after his retirement from their men's singles match on day two
GETTY IMAGES
66/75 14 January 2014
Andy Murray celebrates his straight-sets victory over Go Soeda in the first round of the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
67/75 14 January 2014
Roger Federer eases into the second round of the Australian Open via a 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory over Australian wildcard James Duckworth
GETTY IMAGES
68/75 14 January 2014
Defending Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka comes through in straight-sets against Johanna Larsson to move into the second round
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69/75 13 January 2014
Laura Robson of Great Britain leaves the court after losing her first round match against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium
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70/75 13 January 2014
A general view of Showcourt 2 during the first round match between Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Heather Watson
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71/75 Heather-Watson-of-Great-Bri.jpg
Heather Watson of Great Britain wipes her face in her first round defeat against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia
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72/75 13 January 2014
Novak Djokovic celebrates a point in his first round victory against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia
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73/75 13 January 2014
Stefan Edberg was the centre of attention on Monday at the Australian Open as he returned to court in a coaching role with Roger Federer
GETTY IMAGES
74/75 12 January 2014
Andy Murray takes a much-needed drinks break during training at Melbourne Park
Getty
75/75 11 January 2014
Defending champion Novak Djokovic shows off his trophy before the tournament gets underway
1/75 24 January 2014
Dominika Cibulkova pictured ahead of the Australian Open final
GETTY IMAGES
2/75 24 January 2014
Roger Federer talks to the press following his semi-final defeat to Nadal
GETTY IMAGES
3/75 24 January 2014
Rafael Nadal grimaces at his hand during his semi-final win over Federer
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4/75 24 January 2014
Federer pictured during his semi-final defeat to Nadal
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5/75 24 January 2014
Nadal pictured during his semi-final with Federer
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6/75 24 January 2014
Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Federer
GETTY IMAGES
7/75 23 January 2014
Roger Federer of Switzerland trains in a practice session as his coach, Stefan Edberg watches
GETTY IMAGES
8/75 23 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates beating Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their semi-final meeting
GETTY IMAGES
9/75 23 January 2014
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic pictured in his semi-final defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland
GETTY IMAGES
10/75 23 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland pictured during his victory over Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their semi-final meeting
GETTY IMAGES
11/75 23 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland pictured during his victory over Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their semi-final meeting
GETTY IMAGES
12/75 Winner-Dominika-Cibulkova-o.jpg
Winner Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia (L) applauds as her opponent Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland (C) leaves after their women's singles semi-final match
GETTY IMAGES
13/75 23 January 2014
Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after beating Agnieszka Radwanska to progress to the Australian Open final
GETTY IMAGES
14/75 23 January 2014
Na Li of China hands a ballboy a towel in her semifinal match against Eugenie Bouchard
GETTY IMAGES
15/75 23 January 2014
Winner Li Na of China (L) shakes hands with Eugenie Bouchard of Canada after their women's singles semi-final match
GETTY IMAGES
16/75 23 January 2014
Eugenie Bouchard of Canada is silhouetted on the court during her loss to Li Na of China in their women's singles semi-final match
GETTY IMAGES
17/75 22 January 2014
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher tests his tennis skills in Melbourne
GETTY IMAGES
18/75 22 January 2014
Andy Murray pictured during his defeat to Roger Federer
GETTY IMAGES
19/75 22 January 2014
Roger Federer strikes a forehand during his match against Andy Murray
GETTY IMAGES
20/75 22 January 2014
Fans of Roger Federer watch on during his quarter-final with Andy Murray
GETTY IMAGES
21/75 22 January 2014
Andy Murray shows his frustration in the quarter-final against Roger Federer
GETTY IMAGES
22/75 22 January 2014
Rafael Nadal of Spain pictured during his quarter-final match against Grigor Dimitrov
GETTY IMAGES
23/75 22 January 2014
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter-final match against Grigor Dimitrov
GETTY IMAGES
24/75 22 January 2014
Belarus's Victoria Azarenka (L) walks on court during her women's singles match against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska
GETTY IMAGES
25/75 22 January 2014
Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after victory in her women's singles quarter-final against Romania's Simona Halep
GETTY IMAGES
26/75 22 January 2014
Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after victory in her women's singles quarter-final against Romania's Simona Halep
GETTY IMAGES
27/75 21 January 2014
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his men's singles match against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka on day nine
GETTY IMAGES
28/75 21 January 2014
Novak Djokovic of Serbia gets changed in his quarter-final defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka
GETTY IMAGES
29/75 21 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland sits down during a rain delay in his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia
GETTY IMAGES
30/75 21 January 2014
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia speaks to the umpire during her quarter-final defeat to Eugenie Bouchard of Canada
GETTY IMAGES
31/75 21 January 2014
Eugenie Bouchard in action during her Australian Open quarter-final victory over Ana Ivanovic
GETTY IMAGES
32/75 21 January 2014
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia reacts to a point to Eugenie Bouchard of Canada during her defeat at the quarter-final stage
GETTY IMAGES
33/75 21 January 2014
Na Li of China is interview on court after winning her quarterfinal match against Flavia Pennetta
GETTY IMAGES
34/75 21 January 2014
Czech tennis star Tomas Berdych beat third seed David Ferrer to move into the Australian Open semi-finals
GETTY IMAGES
35/75 20 January 2014
Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his fourth round win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
GETTY IMAGES
36/75 20 January 2014
Andy Murray celebrates his Australian Open victory over Stephane Robert
GETTY IMAGES
37/75 20 January 2014
Andy Murray gives away his racket which he broke during his victory over Stephane Robert
GETTY IMAGES
38/75 20 January 2014
Rafael Nadal progressed to the Australian Open quarter-finals with victory over Kei Nishikori
GETTY IMAGES
39/75 20 January 2014
Maria Sharapova crashed out of the Australian Open in a shock loss to Dominika Cibulkova
GETTY IMAGES
40/75 20 January 2014
Victoria Azarenka breezes past Sloane Stephens in the Australian Open fourth round
GETTY IMAGES
41/75 19 January 2014
42/75 19 January 2014
Serena Williams reacts during her defeat by Ana Ivanovic at the Australia Open on Sunday
GETTY IMAGES
43/75 18 January 2014
Comedian Jimmy Carr celebrates the victory of Andy Murray of Great Britain over Feliciano Lopez of Spain
PA
44/75 18 January 2014
Andy Murray of Great Britain signs autographs after winning his third round match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain
GETTY
45/75 18 January 2014
Andy Murray of Britain changes his shirt during a break in his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain
EPA
46/75 17 January 2014
Officials dry the court after a rain delay stopped play during the third round match between Samantha Stosur of Australia and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia
GETTY IMAGES
47/75 17 January 2014
Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves in his third round match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan
GETTY IMAGES
48/75 17 January 2014
Serbia's Ana Ivanovic reacts after victory in her women's singles match against Australia's Samantha Stosur on day five of the 2014 Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
49/75 17 January 2014
Dustin Brown of Germany in action in his first round doubles match with Gael Monfils of France against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain
GETTY IMAGES
50/75 17 January 2014
Na Li of China serves in her third round match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic
GETTY IMAGES
51/75 17 January 2014
An Australian fan watches on during the third round match between Casey Dellacqua of Australia and Jie Zheng of China
GETTY IMAGES
52/75 17 January 2014
Serena Williams celebrates her third round victory over Daniela Hantuchova at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
53/75 16 January 2014
Lightning strikes over Melbourne Park during a first round doubles match
GETTY IMAGES
54/75 16 January 2014
The courts at the Australian Open are so hot that you can boil an egg on the surface
Twitter/@sunriseon7
55/75 16 January 2014
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a forehand in her second round victory over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic
GETTY IMAGES
56/75 16 January 2014
Maria Sharapova calls for clarity over the extreme heat ruling that saw play at the Australian Open suspended
GETTY IMAGES
57/75 16 January 2014
Sharapova celebrates her victory over Karin Knapp in the Australian Open second round
GETTY IMAGES
58/75 16 January 2014
Jamie Murray (L) suffered from heat stroke following his victory with doubles partner John Peers (R) over Matt Reid and Luke Saville at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
59/75 16 January 2014
Rafael Nadal celebrates his second round victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
60/75 15 January 2014
Ross Hutchins (R) and Colin Fleming (L) progressed to the second round of the Australian Open on the former's return to Grand Slam action after his battle with cancer
GETTY IMAGES
61/75 15 January 2014
Serena Williams progressed to the third round of the Australian Open via a 6-1 6-2 victory over Vesna Dolonc
GETTY IMAGES
62/75 15 January 2014
Novak Djokovic celebrates his second round victory over Leonardo Mayer
GETTY IMAGES
63/75 15 January 2014
Stanislas Wawrinka, who has no connection to a betting investigation taking place in Melbourne, walks out onto court at the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
64/75 14 January 2014
A ballboy faints in the heat, as Melbourne heads towards 43 degrees celsius during day two of the 2014 Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
65/75 14 January 2014
Spain's Rafael Nadal (L) comforts Australia's Bernard Tomic after his retirement from their men's singles match on day two
GETTY IMAGES
66/75 14 January 2014
Andy Murray celebrates his straight-sets victory over Go Soeda in the first round of the Australian Open
GETTY IMAGES
67/75 14 January 2014
Roger Federer eases into the second round of the Australian Open via a 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory over Australian wildcard James Duckworth
GETTY IMAGES
68/75 14 January 2014
Defending Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka comes through in straight-sets against Johanna Larsson to move into the second round
GETTY IMAGES
69/75 13 January 2014
Laura Robson of Great Britain leaves the court after losing her first round match against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium
GETTY IMAGES
70/75 13 January 2014
A general view of Showcourt 2 during the first round match between Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Heather Watson
GETTY IMAGES
71/75 Heather-Watson-of-Great-Bri.jpg
Heather Watson of Great Britain wipes her face in her first round defeat against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia
GETTY IMAGES
72/75 13 January 2014
Novak Djokovic celebrates a point in his first round victory against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia
GETTY IMAGES
73/75 13 January 2014
Stefan Edberg was the centre of attention on Monday at the Australian Open as he returned to court in a coaching role with Roger Federer
GETTY IMAGES
74/75 12 January 2014
Andy Murray takes a much-needed drinks break during training at Melbourne Park
Getty
75/75 11 January 2014
Defending champion Novak Djokovic shows off his trophy before the tournament gets underway
After becoming the first Asian player of either sex to win a Grand Slam singles title when she triumphed at the French Open in 2011, it seemed that Li’s career had stalled. However, Rodriguez has returned Li to the very top group of players who can be expected to contest the major prizes. Tomorrow’s rankings list will put Li just 11 points behind world No 2 Victoria Azarenka.
Li, wearing a tee-shirt with Chinese script that read “my heart has no limits”, admitted in her post-match press conference that she had felt nervous in the first set of the final. “I was feeling that I didn’t show up,” she said. “I tried to hang in there till the end of the first set or the end of the match because I really didn’t want to show her or show myself [how she was feeling]. If you show something to your opponent maybe she will get the chance, so I really tried to stay calm.”
When it was pointed out that she was the oldest female champion at the Australian Open, Li smiled: “I’m not old. At the start of the tournament everybody was talking about age. I would like to say age is nothing. I’m pretty happy about my age. I can still win a Grand Slam. I have more experience on the court.”
Was she proud to have won the title after saving a match point against Lucie Safarova in the third round? “I think I should send an email to Safarova – and send her a smile as well.”
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