China's hope dashed at Australian Open
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China's hope of having at least one player in the Australian Open women's singles tennis final was dashed on Thursday when Zheng Jie and Li Na were both beaten in the semi finals at Melbourne Park.
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Li Na of China serves during the women's singles semifinal match against Serena Williams of the United States in 2010 Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Jan. 28, 2010. Li Na lost 0-2. [Xinhua/Wang Lili] |
Former world No.1 Justine Henin advanced to the final of her first Grand Slam tournament in 20 months, thrashing Zheng Jie 6-1, 6-0 and will now play Serena Williams in Saturday night's final after the top seed defeated Li Na 7-6(4), 7-6(1).
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Zheng Jie of China returns the ball during a semifinal of women's singles against Justine Henin of Belgium at 2010 Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Jan. 28, 2010. Zheng lost 0-2. [Xinhua/Wang Lili] |
Henin, 27, trails 28-year-old Williams 7-6 in their career series, but holds a 4-2 winning record over the American in grand- slam encounters.
The seven-times major champion said she was happy to spend far less time on the court to beat her Chinese opponent than in her earlier round matches at her comeback slam.
"It was perfect - I've had enough tennis in the past two weeks, " Henin said.
"It is an amazing feeling to have the chance to play another final in Melbourne. It is more than a dream."
Henin and Williams last met at a grand slam in the 2007 U.S. Open quarter-finals, with the Belgian triumphing on her way to the title.
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