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Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Saturday, 15 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
(Reuters) - China’s Li Na staged a remarkable comeback from 5-0 down in the first set to upset Australian Open favourite Kim Clijsters 7-6 6-3 in the final of the Sydney International on Friday.
It was a first loss in 14 semi-finals and finals for U.S. Open champion Clijsters since her return from retirement in August 2009 and the manner of defeat will be a big psychological blow just three days from the start of the year’s first grand slam.
The 28-year-old Li, a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park last year, sealed her fourth career title when she volleyed home a winner with Clijsters stranded off the court after 90 minutes.
It had taken Clijsters just 18 minutes to rack up a 5-0 lead in the first set but her game then fell apart, with seven double faults and 27 unforced errors telling the tale of a spectacular collapse.
