Summary

  • Li wins 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 to win title

  • First set took 70 minutes; second 27

  • Li wins her second Grand Slam title

  • Cibulkova was in her first Grand Slam final

  • * Denotes next server

Live Reporting

Lawrence Barretto

  1. Rafael Nadal and Stanislas WawrinkaGetty Images

    We've got all bases covered for Nadal v Wawrinka, with live text commentary being supplemented with TV coverage on BBC Two from 0815 GMT and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra joining at 0830. Thanks for your company and contributions. Until tomorrow, it's good morning from me. See ya.

  2. There's just one more singles' match left of this Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of 2014, and that's the men's final which sees world number one Rafael Nadal take on Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka tomorrow.

  4. Li NaAP

    Li will move up to third in the world rankings when they are published on Monday, just 11 points behind Victoria Azarenka in second. Serena Williams will retain the number one ranking despite her fourth round exit in Melbourne.

  5. John Lloyd
    Former British number one and BBC Sport expert

    "Li may even be able to knock Serena Williams off the top spot. She has the game to do so. I think she could win another Grand Slam or two before the end of the year."

  6. BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "Li Na is, like Serena, also over 30 and probably playing her best tennis. She has improved her game, her serve and is making a lot of Grand Slam finals. She played the tennis of a winner because she went for her shots."

  7. Get involved

    Akinpelu Kayode A: Some humour radiating around Rod Laver. Li must be fun to be around.

    Jamie Scott: Has anyone ever been happier to have lost a Slam final? Cibulkova just gave what sounded like the victory speech!

  8. Li NaGetty Images

    "Finally I got her [the Australian Open trophy]," says Li Na. "The last two times [in 2011 and 2013] was very close. First, congratulations to Cibulkova for having a very good tournament here."

    The Australian Open champion then embarks on a comedy routine. "Yeah, now I have to thank my team," she says. "Thanks my agent, making me rich, thanks a lot."

    Comedy is all about... erm, timing, of course, so Li Na pauses before adding: "Thanks to [coach] Carlos [Rodriquez], always believing I can do well, especially in this winter training, thanks so much."

    Another pause before the punch line: "Ok, now, of course my husband, he's even famous in China. So thanks for him for giving up everything for me, being my hitting partner, fixing the drinks, fixing the racquet. Thanks a lot. You're a nice guy. Also, you're so lucky for finding me."

  9. Li is on form in her acceptance speech, thanking her agent for "making me rich" and adding to her husband: "Thanks a lot, you are a nice guy. Also you are so lucky."

  10. Get involved

    Lucienne Gage: Wonderful start to the day. Congratulations to Li Na on her victory and to Cibulkova for a tremendous fight.

    Chris Yung: Fair play Li, the experience came through that second set.

    The Doctor: Feel sorry for Cibulkova. Her overall performance these last two weeks has been fantastic. Congrats to Li though, well deserved.

  11. The tears flow and the Slovakian takes a few seconds to compose herself before adding: "I will start with my team, thank you very much for supporting me, especially my coach and my boyfriend and, of course, my parents, they're watching from home. This means a lot for our country and I'm happy I can be the one who is here for Slovakia and I'd like to congratulate Li Na, she has had a great tournament, and she deserves to be here as a winner."

  12. After an hug from Chris Evert, Cibulkova says: "I don't really know where to start. This has been a fantastic two weeks of my life and I think I'm going to cry."

  13. A look at Cibulkova's serving stats show the Slovakian had seven double faults and won just 21% of the points on her second serve.

  14. John Lloyd
    Former British number one on BBC Two

    "Cibulkova, as much as she has improved, she has to work on her serve, it lets her down. The second serve is so hittable. In the big matches, you can really do some damage to that serve because it's so one paced."

  15. Cibulkova is first up on stage to receive her runners up trophy from 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert. The Slovakian has had a brilliant tournament, beating the likes of Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska on the way to the final.

  16. John Lloyd
    Former British number one on BBC Two

    "This time Li Na will handle winning a Grand Slam a lot better. She said after winning the French she was so inundated with requests she didn't know how to handle it and her tennis suffered. The French Open is next, her favourite tournament, and she could win the first two Grand Slams of the year. The first set was very nervy and she was tight, she wanted it so badly, and her first serve was awful but she got through."

  17. The players embraceAFP

    It's all smiles at the net as Li and Cibulkova have a chat while the roof is closed and the stage prepared for the trophy presentation.

  18. BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "That was impressive. Li Na was stressed at the start but she stuck to her plan and kept on attacking and going for the winners. She was far better than her opponent. This is very big for China. It doesn't have much of a tennis history but they are getting better results, Li Na is now a multiple Grand Slam winner and they will find a way to make other champions. You can't imagine how many champions they could have in the coming years such is their potential."

  19. Li Na wins 2014 Australian Open

    Li raises her arms up in celebration and then jogs over to her box to high five her team. At last, she can taste victory in Melbourne following a final defeat to Kim Clijsters in 2011 and Victoria Azarenka in 2013.

  20. GAME, SET AND MATCH

    Li NaAP

    Li's backhand has been something to behold today and after 95 minutes, even her forehand is starting to motor. She looks unstoppable, opening up a 0-30 lead on the Cibulkova serve. Two points later and the Chinese brings up two championship points.

    The crowd begin to cheer in anticipation before quiet descends on Rod Laver Arena. The first goes wanting, as Li sends a forehand long but the second is hers as Cibulkova makes her 27th unforced error of the match. Li Na is the 2014 Australian Open champion.