China’s Li Na overpowered Dominika Cibulkova on Saturday to win the Australian Open 2014 final and her second major title. The 31-year-old needed a tiebreak to clinch an error-strewn first set but romped away with the second for a 7-6(3) 6-0 victory to become the oldest woman to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
Li won her first grand slam singles title at the French Open in 2011.
“At last I made it. Not like the last two times, always feeling one more step. But this time I did it so I’m really so proud of myself,” the fourth seed rejoiced.
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Tennis great Chris Evert of the U.S. presents Li Na …
Tennis great Chris Evert (facing camera) of the U.S. hugs Li Na of China while presenting her with t …
“In the French I was feeling I would just go for it. I didn’t think about winning or losing. But this one, I was really wishing I could do well. And also maybe you guys didn’t know how hard I was working mentally to make this one.”
VIDEO: Li Na’s brilliant winner’s speech – 2014 Australian Open