Thomas Godoj Thread » bulkova then netted a backhand to give Li a 6-5 lea

Melbourne, Australia - The third time was the charm for Li Na. The fourth-seeded Chinese star beat Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 at Rod Laver Arena to capture her first Australian Open title on Saturday. Li played in her third final in four years at Melbourne Park. She lost to Kim Clijsters in 2011 and Victoria Azarenka last year before finally breaking through at the seasons first Grand Slam event against the 20th-seeded Cibulkova. "After I win the match, I really, really exciting," Li said. "I think I have drops still coming down, you know. I try to have hug with the team, but is too high. I cannot catch it (laughter)." Her win came at the end of a fortnight featuring an array of surprising results on the womens side. It was the first time since 1997 that none of the top three seeds made the semifinals. Li committed 25 of her 30 unforced errors in a competitive opening set before she unexpectedly breezed through the second. She had a 34-11 advantage in winners, many coming on her lethal backhand, and converted half of her 10 break-point chances. The second double fault by Cibulkova in the matchs opening game gave Li an early break. A double fault then hurt Li as Cibulkova gained a break to level the first set at 3-all. Li earned a break point with a strong backhand winner in the ninth game, but two of her forehands flew long and Cibulkova was able to hold for a 5-4 lead. After closing out a relative easy service game with an ace to extend the set, Li earned two break points when she followed up Cibulkovas sixth double fault with a blistering crosscourt backhand. Cibulkova then netted a backhand to give Li a 6-5 lead before she broke back to force a tiebreak. Li raced out to a commanding 5-1 lead in the tiebreak and she later claimed the 70-minute first set when Cibulkova dumped a backhand into the net. The second set lasted only 27 minutes and ended with Cibulkova sending a ground stroke long. "You know, it was my first Grand Slam finals and Im just proud with the way I handle it," Cibulkova said. "You know, I just went on the court. I wanted to play my best tennis. It wasnt easy against her because she was playing extremely well. So Im quite happy." Li, who turns 32 next month, captured her second Grand Slam title, adding to her victory at the 2011 French Open, and improved to 9-11 in career finals. She also is just the fourth woman to win the Aussie Open crown after saving a match point. She fought off the match point in the third round against Lucie Safarova and joined Monica Seles (1991), Jennifer Capriati (2002) and Serena Williams (2003 and 2005) to accomplish the feat. "Yeah, start of tournament everybody talking about the age," Li said. "I would like to say age is nothing. Still can win the Grand Slam. So pretty happy about my age. I got more experience on the court." Cibulkova, who stands just 5-foot-3, knocked off No. 3 seed Maria Sharapova in the fourth round and No. 5 seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals to become Slovakias first Grand Slam finalist. The 24-year-old fell to 3-6 in her career title tilts and 0-5 against Li. Akiem Hicks Jersey . With the Pirates in the thick of the race in the NL Central, the timing couldnt be better. Liriano struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season and Pittsburgh beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night. Tom Waddle Womens Jersey .A. Happ capped a challenging season with one of his best efforts of the year. http://www.chicagobearfootballauthentic....k-bears-jersey/. Unfortunately for the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden was in the building. Mike Singletary Jersey . Louis Cardinals have agreed to a one-year contract. Devin Hester Bears Jersey . After missing 20 games as a rookie a year ago, Valanciunas - like the Raptors as a whole - has been fortunate to be in good health this season. As he spoke about it, the Raptors sophomore centre scanned the room for wood to knock on. "It is disappointing because we lost today so thats the worst part of the day," said Valanciunas, who left Tuesdays game with a lower-back sprain in the third quarter, missing the rest of Torontos 118-113 overtime defeat at the hands of the Hawks.TORONTO -- Two days after issuing a plea through the media, Toronto FC star midfielder Michael Bradley went straight to the fans to ask for their support as the MLS team tries to end its slide and head back up the standings towards the playoffs. "Bring your scarves, your banners, your flags, bring everything youve got. Because we will, and we cant do it without you," Bradley says in a club video posted Friday on YouTube. Toronto (9-11-7) hosts lowly Chivas USA (6-16-6) on Sunday. TFC is winless in six (0-4-2) and has won just three of its last 16 (3-7-6) as it slips down the Eastern Conference standings. "There will be only seven games left in the season and II knows whats on the line.dddddddddddd We all do," Bradley says in the video. "Youve been there all year long. Ive seen you, Ive heard you. But this Sunday we need you more than ever ... Together we can fight through this." Bradley made himself available to reporters Wednesday after training to make a similar plea. Selling tickets has not been an issue for Toronto FC. Despite its recent slump, it has had a string of sellouts. But despite the announced full house last time out, there were still plenty of empty seats for a home loss to the Philadelphia Union. And on Tuesday the club plans a groundbreaking ceremony for its stadium expansion plans. ' ' '