VIDEO: Li Na Quips Her Way To The Australian Open 2011 Finals

Ninth-seeded Li Na, world No. 11, has never made it past the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam event since turning pro in 1999, so expect to hear her characterized as an upstart for her run to the finals at the Australian Open 2011. It's a remarkable feat, to be sure: She upset No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki to get there, and no Chinese tennis player has ever reached the finals of a Grand slam tourney. Should she emerge victorious, however, viewers will be treated to a more intangible benefit: The lady interviews like Novak Djokovic.

Li won our allegiance with her calm assessment, after beating Victoria Azarenka, that she won "because I'm better." Asked to clarify by Chris Fowler, she deadpanned, "It's true, right?" Her on-court interview following the semis more than lives up to that promise:



We can't pick a favorite answer, between the spirited imitation of her snoring husband (and coach) keeping her up the night before the match and her calm reply of "prize money," when asked what got her through the match. There's just something about this girl that makes you want to be her best friend. Last shot: Li signing the camera, walking off the court and into hearts all around the world.

This is shaping up to be the most bizarrely likable finals field in any Grand Slam tourney in recent memory, but it's going to be hard to pull for any combo of winners but Li and Djokovic. The pressers that would ensue could produce enough material to keep us writing and laughing all the way to Roland Garros.

[HT to Yahoo(!)'s Chris Chase, capturer of fine videos.]