There’s only two women left at the 2014 Australian Open, with China’s Li Na taking on Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova at the Rod Laver Arena this Saturday night. The 31 year old Li will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself this weekend, after losing Australian Open finals in both 2011 and 2013. The 4th seeded Li will be a big favourite against the 20th seeded Slovakian, who has surprised many by making it this far.
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While Melbourne has been buzzing all week in anticipation of the finals, it’s fair to say this match-up wasn’t predicted by many. Li’s projected semifinal opponent, No. 1 Serena Williams, suffered a surprising defeat in the fourth round, with No. 6 Petra Kvitova, No. 9 Angelique Kerber, No. 14 Ana Ivanovic, and No. 15 Sabine Lisicki all going down as well.
Li herself nearly lost in the third round against No. 26 Lucie Safarova, and since then has had a pretty easy run to the finals. In fact, the 24th-ranked Cibulkova will be Li Na’s first top-25 opponent this tournament, so there is a danger that she is untested going into this match. Li needed only an hour and a half to defeat Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard in the first semi-final.
“I really feeling after the match [against Safarova] I was getting second life in this tournament. In China, we say if you have a tough time, you pass that, it means you be so lucky. Or maybe they give me back [the luck] from last year, I don’t know.” said Li Na, adding “I think is the third time, so pretty close to the trophy. Yeah, at least I try to not falling down this time, because last year in the final I think I play well but I only can say unlucky because falling down twice. At least I try enjoy and staying healthy.”
With Li Na such a big favourite on Saturday night, Dominika Cibulkova may benefit from a lack of expectations. Cibulkova has come through the tournament with style, with a 6-1 6-2 defeat of Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska to make her first grand slam final. Unlike Li, the Slovakian has been thoroughly tested throughout the tournament and came through with flying colours against more fancied opponents.
In one interesting statistic favouring Cibulkova, no-one over 30 has claimed an Australian Open crown since Margaret Smith Court way back in 1973. Cibulkova may just have the youth and momentum to overcome the odds, after losing just one of 13 sets in the tournament and dropping one game or less in half of those sets. “I’m playing great,” Cibulkova said. “I’m playing really, really well, giving 100 percent of what I’m capable to do on the court in the match. That’s the most important thing.”
Cibulkova doesn’t have good history against Li, however, with the Chinese beating her in each of their four meetings. Like any Grand Slam final, nerves will play a big role this weekend, with Li both older and more experienced in high stress matches. Cibulkova has handled herself with poise so far, however, and will be hoping she has the momentum to see this one through.
While Dominika Cibulkova is not expected to win by many, attractive odds are on offer for punters willing to back an upset. All of the Australian bookmakers have open markets for the Women’s Final, with match bets, set betting, game handicap, and other products available from most bookmakers.
