Li Na Upsets Sharapova to Advance to Australian Open Finals
January 24, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
China’s Li Na overpowered second-seeded Maria Sharapova 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the 2013 Australian Open women’s singles finals and a chance for her second Grand Slam title. Li, who won the 2011 French Open and was the losing finalist here to Kim Clijsters the same year, broke Sharapova’s serve in the fifth and seventh games of the second set. Li will advance to face world number one-ranked Victoria Azarekna, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over upstart American Sloane Stephens.
"We had a lot of close games," said Li. "Before I would get angry or something in those moments, but this year I’ve tried to cool down on the court. Like Hollywood—you don’t have to show your opponent what you’re thinking. It’s a little bit like Hollywood, but not real. I still have some work to do though."
Sharapova had dropped only nine games in five matches en route to the semifinals, an Australian Open record.
"She played a really great match … she was certainly much more aggressive than I was, dictating play," said Sharapova. "I was always on the defense. When I had my opportunities and break points in games that went to deuce, I don’t think any of them went my way. If I took those chances and clawed my way back and made it a bit tougher for her, I’m sure she would have thought a little bit more. But I certainly didn’t make her think about anything today."
