Kim Clijsters wins 2011 Australian Open

Kim Clijsters, to no one’s surprise, won the Australian Open after a 3-set final against Na Li.  Clijsters came into the event seeded No. 3, but was the favorite to win because of her previous success at Grand Slams.  This is her 4th Grand Slam title, and the first in Australia.  Clijsters will move into the No. 2 spot in the world rankings as a result of this victory.

Clijsters’ opponent, Na Li was trying to become the 1st person from China to win a major title.  She is already the first from China to play in a major final.  After a slow start, in which Clijsters took a 2-0 lead, Na Li came roaring to life, winning the first set with aggressive play that looked to wear down Clijsters early.  It was the first set lost by Clijsters in the entire tournament.  Midway through the second set, Clijsters found her stroke and started playing aggressively as well.  Both players pounded it out before finally Li gave in.  Li finished the match with 40 unforced errors to Clijsters 26.

The American men may not have had much luck in singles play, but the American doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan added another Grand Slam title to their collection with a victory over Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes.   It is the 10th major title for the Bryan brothers, their 5th at the Australian Open.  The 5 Australian Open titles are the most by any team in the open era.  No other team can claim more than 2.  Their 10 Grand Slam titles brings them within one of the record held by Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde.