Li Na, Cibulkova advance to final

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LI Na spoke of fortune and the two-time runner-up has the chance to make it third time lucky when she contests tomorrow's Australian Open final.

The No. 4 seed stormed into the title decider with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 win over Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard.

She will face Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova, who took just 70 minutes to blast fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska off the court 6-1, 6-2 in yesterday's other semi-final.

Li, who fought off match point to overcome Czech Lucie Safarova in the third round, said she felt that victory gave her a "second life in this tournament".

"In China, we say if you have a tough time, you pass that, it means you be so lucky," Li said.

"Or maybe they give me back from last year, I don't know."

Li was determined not to repeat her two tumbles during last year's final against Victoria Azarenka, when she twisted her ankle and hit her head on the court.

"Last year in the final I think I play well but I only can say unlucky because falling down twice," said the Chinese star, who also lost the 2011 final to Kim Clijsters.

"At least I try enjoy and staying healthy."

The 2011 French Open champion will also call on her big-match experience when she faces Cibulkova, who is playing her first grand slam final.

Li Na fires a return back at Canadian rising star Eurgenie Bouchard. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"First time come to the final, I didn't have any experience, I just feel so exciting," Li said.

"I got more experience. So right now final is special, final is final, but still just one match. I still have to hit the ball to try to do my best."

The way Cibulkova swept aside Radwanska showed she is dangerous, despite Li going into their match with a 4-0 win-loss record.

"I'm playing finals, so that's something beautiful. It's like a dream," beamed the compact Cibulkova, who hails from a small country of just 5.4 million people.

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"They are all like cheering for me. Yeah, it's big."

As big as the occasion is, Cibulkova was conscious she needs to keep a level head.

"She been in the finals of grand slam many times, she already won a grand slam, so she know how it is," added the No. 20 seed.

"You need to be 100 per cent sure you can do it. Yes, I am.

"If I think of it like that, it's finals, it's a big pressure."

Bouchard was broken to love three times in the first set as Li took a 5-0 lead.

Li handed Bouchard a break back with a double fault but the damage was done and she sealed the set with one of the many deep forehand winners that were proving her weapon of choice.

The first two games of the second set were an arm wrestle, both won by Bouchard, but Li drew level again at 2-2.

The pair then traded breaks but Li made the decisive move in the seventh game and won the match with a brilliant crosscourt backhand.

Li's coach, Carlos Rodriguez, was pleased with her composure.

"Li Na played good but she cannot continue to play like she played the first five games, it's unbelievable," he said.

"I'm happy because at least she didn't lose her mind in the very, very difficult moments."

After knocking out Azarenka the previous day, Radwanska appeared to fall into the same trap as Ana Ivanovic following her fourth-round upset of top seed Serena Williams, coming into the match flat.

"I feel like in slow motion today," Radwanska said.

Cibulkova dominated the first set with her frenetic pace, her powerful forehand and clever retrievals while Radwanska failed to take her chances in the fourth game.

Cibulkova saved three break points and raced to a 4-0 lead in the second set, converting her first of three match points when Radwanska netted a forehand.

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