MELBOURNE: Defending champion Serena Williams eased past China’s Li Na 7-6 7-6 to reach the final of the Australian Open on Thursday.Although heavily strapped on both legs and appearing fatigued, Williams’s serve remained strong and it produced an ace when needed to seal the first set after Li broke back to force a tiebreaker.

Li saved three match points when serving to stay in the match at 5-4, and another at 6-5 to force a second tiebreaker but conceded the match when Williams served another ace to seal it 7-1.

 

Williams is bidding for her fifth title at Melbourne Park and will meet either Belgium’s Justine Henin or China’s Zheng Jie, who play later on Thursday, in the final.

 

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