2011 Sydney International: Kim Clijsters and Li Na all set to meet for the title decider
World number three Kim Clijsters of Belgium came back from a set down to beat Alisa Kleybanova in the semi-final match of the 2011 Sydney International on Thursday. The Belgian got the better of her Russian foe in three sets to
confirm her spot in the title battle. The final match score was 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. The battle concluded in a time period of two hours and thirty eight minutes at the Sydney Olympic Park.
If Kim picks up the crown in Sydney, the right hander will jump to number two in the South African Airways WTA rankings on Monday, replacing Vera Zvonareva of Russia.
The 2010 United States Open champion, by virtue of this victory, will take on Li Na in the finals on Friday. Li reached the finals earlier in the day after getting the better of Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia in two sets. The final
score line was 7-6, 6-3.
"It was not easy, she is young but she is playing well. I just came in, and then finally I was in the final. I was surprised. I always play well in Australia. I do not know why,” said Li after her victory on Thursday.
Kim leads the pair head to head series at 4-1. They previously faced each other in the quarter final round of the year’s final major, the United States Open back in 2009 where the Belgian triumphed in straight sets.
While commenting on Kim, the Chinese said, "I have nothing to lose. She is a great player. I just need to practice now and try to show my best tennis on the court tomorrow."
Meanwhile, in the men’s side, Gilles Simon of France got the better of his Ukrainian opponent Alexandr Dolgopolov in two sets to make his way into the semi final round in Sydney. The score line was 6-4, 6-3.
He will take on Ernest Gulbis in the final four round on Friday. Gulbis advanced into semis after posting a 6-4 6-4 win over Sergiy Stakhovsky.
Florian Mayer of Germany will meet Italian Potito Starace later in the day.
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