The matchups for the finals of Australian Open 2011 are remarkable in several ways. We’ve already addressed the oddity of a men’s match containing neither Roger Federer nor Rafa Nadal. The women’s final features two players both seemingly at the top of their game after mounting post-retirement comeback tours. What really stands out about this year’s slate, however, is just how goshdarn likable everybody is, particularly in the women’s game. No. 3 Kim Clijsters and No. 9 Li Na have been as jovial in the face of ridiculous questions has they’ve been fierce in their on-court victories in Melbourne this fortnight, and casual viewers will be hard-pressed to choose a side. (For our part, we’re leaning Li, just to hear what she comes up with for her post-match interview.)
This may be the last time you’ll see Clijsters holding court at the Aussie Open: Heading into her second consecutive Grand Slam event finals, she’s as good as confirmed she intends to hang it up after this season:
Australian Open 2011 Women’s Final: Kim Clijsters Vs. Li Na In Tale Of Two Comebacks
I know this is probably going to be my last full season on the tour, and then we’ll see.
If she does call it quits, what a note to go out on. Clijsters has never won the Aussie Open but made the finals in ‘04.
The line on Li, of course, is that she’s already the first Chinese player to even reach the finals of a Grand Slam event, and despite her bubbly demeanor (even her headshot is perky), she’s not ignorant of her place in history:
“I think maybe because right now I have got into the final, maybe many young players or children will see that and think, ‘maybe one day we can do the same or even better than her?’,” she said. “So some day they will feel more confident.”
Li’s impact on the sport in her homeland isn’t lost on the folks behind the curtain, either:
The WTA has launched a Chinese-language website, opened a corporate office in Beijing and elevated the status of the China Open to one of the most important tournaments on the tour calendar. The WTA said it is in talks with Beijing authorities about increasing the number of professional tennis events in China as early as 2012.
Fear not, however: She hasn’t turned off the attitude, even after upsetting world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the semis, besting her previous personal benchmark set in last year’s Aussie Open:
Li was asked how she overcame the 20-year-old Dane, who has been called a “backboard” and a “wall” because of her unrelenting ability to get balls back into play.
“I think Chinese wall (is) more famous,” said Li, whose quick-witted quips have amused the center court crowds in Melbourne.
Clijsters and Li have met six times in their pro careers, with Clijsters leading the series 4-2, but Li’s got last: She beat Clijsters in straight sets in the Sydney International final just prior to the Aussie Open.
Coverage of the 2011 Australian Open women’s final begins at 3:00 a.m. EST Saturday on ESPN2.
