Li Na defeated second-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova 6-2 6-2 Thursday, clinching the second Australian Open Finals appearance in her career. Li will battle the top-ranked female tennis player in the world, Victoria Azarenka, in the penultimate match on Sunday at 7:30 am EST.
Sharapova had one of the best starts to the Australian tournament ever, losing only nine games in five matches entering her bout with Na. The first Asian woman to ever reach a Grand Slam Final has a Shenzhen title, a semis appearance in Sydney and perhaps the most impressive of those accomplishments in the Aussie Open: knocking off three seeded players in a row, all without losing a set.
In their head-to-head series, Na had lost her last three matches to Sharapova entering this match. The two exchanged long runs of dominance against each other, including a five-match win streak for Sharapova over her Chinese opponent to start their history together. However, under a new coach Carlos Rodriguez, she turned the tables against Sharapova, who was heavily favored in some corners.
The men's final will be the last match of the tournament at 7:30 am EST on Monday, Jan. 28 between Murray and Djokovic. This is the full schedule of the 2013 Australian Open.
The women's doubles final takes place on Saturday, Jan. 26 not before 4:00 am EST. The men's doubles final will be after the women's singles final. The mixed doubles final will be at 4:00 am EST on Monday, Jan. 28.
You can watch video highlights of past 2013 Austrailan Open matches here.
The Live Stream of the 2013 Australian Open is right here (Service Provider Required).
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