Huge win over Clijsters and recent play suggest she is not the mentally unfit player she once was

BEIJING - Reaching the semifinals in the Australian Open and the No 9 rank in the world last year seemed to be the peak of Li Na's relatively long tennis career, but her crown at the Sydney International on Friday is fueling hopes that she is ready to bring a grand slam victory to China.

Li Na of China holds her trophy after winning the women's singles final against Kim Clijsters of Belgium at the Sydney International tennis tournament January 14, 2011.  [Photo/Agencies]

Li, currently ranked 11th in the world, upset three-time US Open champ Kim Clijsters in a tune-up tournament just days before the Australian Open. She earned a $103,000 check for the victory, the first major WTA title for Chinese tennis.

The 28-year-old has been a consistent performer the past two years and she will be shouldering the nation's title dreams on her own in the Australian Open, which runs Jan 17-30. Compatriot Zheng Jie, a surprise semifinalist in last year's open, will be skipping this year's major to recuperate from a wrist injury.

"I think she (Li Na) has always been a contender (who was) not focused enough," said Clijsters, whose 13-0 record past the semifinals since returning to tennis in 2009 was ruined by Li. "She is definitely a player who has every quality to win a Grand Slam. Mentally she maybe gets a little bit nervous in big matches, but she can beat any top player out there when she's playing her best."

That has been the knock on Li, who added to her collection of three WTA singles: Her career has been maligned by her lack of mental toughness. But her comeback victory against the Belgian on Friday is one of many signs that she has turned a corner.

There was Li's quarterfinal victory against two-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. She also crushed Venus Williams in the Hong Kong Classic exhibition tournament on Jan 7.

It's little wonder that many Chinese fans expect more at Melbourne Park this week.

"I've played here many years. Australia seems to be my lucky place. Maybe right now I can say I am more confident on the court or I believe I can play much better," Li said after Friday's victory. "But Sydney is over and I have to focus on Melbourne. I just have to forget everything and start the next day."

Under the guidance of mentor Thomas Hogstedt, who has helped world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Li has flourished the past two years. She reached the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2009 and made her third quarterfinal appearance of a Grand Slam tournament last year in Wimbledon, following her quarterfinals appearances in Wimbledon in 2006 and the US Open in 2009.

Li split from Hogstedt last December when he decided to coach former world No 1 Maria Sharapova, but Li hasn't missed a step with new coach, husband Jiang Shan.

"It's easier to partner with him. We know each other better and I feel more relaxed to communicate with him on court. We have no barriers and my team runs more effectively," Li said.

With a favorable draw at the Australian Open, Li's chances of going deep in Melbourne are good.

She plays unseeded Sofia Arvidsson in the first round with No 17 seed Aravane Rezai a potential opponent in the fourth round. If Li manages to duplicate her effort from last year, she may encounter Venus Williams in the semifinals. Li has defeated Williams in three straight matches dating back to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Peng Shuai, another Chinese player who is ranked 62th in the world, may face No 7 seed Jelena Jankovic if she advances past the first round. China's Zhang Shuai, ranked 90th in the world, will meet Klara Zakopalova, ranked 42nd in the world, in the first round.

China Daily