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

  1. Postpublished at 09:21 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Li NaImage source, AP

    Much better from Li early on as she cleverly dictates the opening point before sending a fizzing backhand down the line. She brings up 40-15, after getting in her fourth first serve in a row, and takes the game after sensibly moving Cibulkova from side to side before pulling the trigger with a heavy backhand winner.

  2. Postpublished at 09:17 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "The match is turning at the moment because Cibulkova is winning most of the baseline rallies and starting to relax a bit more while Li is getting stiffer. Li is not really taking advantage of Cibulkova's serve by being aggressive and is making a lot of errors."

    Listen to Radio 5 live sports extra's live coverage

  3. Postpublished at 09:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Dominika CibulkovaImage source, AP

    It's another strong service game from Cibulkova, who now looks much more comfortable in what is her first Grand Slam final. It's Li who is now under pressure, her serve proving her undoing, and she can do nothing on the return as Cibulkova wins the game to 15 to take the lead for the first time in the match.

  4. Get involvedpublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Sports Liberated: , externalSeems to me it's up to Li Na whether she wins or loses this final. Loving Cibulkova's fight but think Li will edge it.

    Adelugba Taiwo:, external Li Na is too good for Cibulkova, she has pace and more experience. She'll have herself to blame if she does not win the game

  5. Postpublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    John Lloyd
    Former British number one on BBC Two

    "Cibulkova did nothing to achieve that. Two double faults and you'd have thought, being a break up, Li Na would have settled. She's got a Grand Slam win."

  6. Cibulkova breakspublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    The best rally of the match - featuring 22 shots - opens the game, and it's Cibulkova who wins it, driving a backhand deep into the corner and than fizzing the defensive return down the line for 0-15. A loose forehand and a first double fault of the match gift the Slovakian her first break points but she only needs the first of two as Li fires well long on her second serve for another double fault. We're back level. Game on.

  7. Postpublished at 09:08 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Cibulkova races to a 40-0 lead, but then puts pressure on herself with a double fault and a rash backhand error. However, the Slovakian clenches her fist and let's out a huge "Come on!" as Li fires long with her forehand. Cibulkova holds. Just.

  8. Postpublished at 09:05 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Li is lacking rhythm on her first serve, however her backhand is working a treat. She whips one down the line for a winner - her third on that flank in this match - and then gets two game points with a fortuitous net cord. One point later, the game is hers, but despite leading by a break, the Chinese is clearly not happy with the way she's playing, giving herself a good talking to between points.

  9. Postpublished at 08:59 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    John Lloyd
    Former British number one on BBC Two

    "Li Na's certainly taking the ball early, on the rise, not giving her opponent the chance to settle and get into these rallies."

  10. Postpublished at 08:59 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Dominika CibulkovaImage source, AP

    Cibulkova is on the ropes again on her serve, finding herself break point down. Li completely dominates the point, but her approach shot isn't good enough and Cibulkova calmly loops a forehand passing shot down the line to bring up deuce. "That should have been Li's point," says former British number one John Lloyd.

    Deuce and deuce again before Li brings up her third break point as Cibulkova's backhand breaks down. However the Chinese wastes the opportunity and sends a regulation forehand into the tramlines. Deuce. Successive errors from Li gift the Slovakian the game and she's on the board after 16 minutes. Important hold.

  11. Postpublished at 08:54 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    The BBC commentary box

    Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "Once Cibulkova wins her first game she will be in the match. The match is very much about serve and return. Cibulkova served double faults in her service game and then made three errors when returning Li's serve. It's 50-50 once the rallies start but it's just about starting them."

    Listen to Radio 5 live sports extra's live coverage

  12. Postpublished at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Li is struggling with the ball toss at the moment and finds herself 15-30 down on her own serve. However, the Chinese 31-year-old benefits from a Cibulkova backhand error and then fires a forehand winner crosscourt after completely dominating the point. The game is hers when Cibulkova clocks up her sixth unforced error of the match.

  13. Li breakspublished at 08:49 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Li's tactic to put the pressure on Cibulkova early doors appears to have been a good one, as the Slovakian makes a couple of forehand errors to find herself 0-30 down. But Li throws away a golden chance to bring up three break points when she sends a lob sailing long.

    The Slovakian fights back to bring up game point, but Li forces deuce. A double fault hands Li her first break point, but she doesn't take it. Another break point follows as Li fires a sizzling backhand down the line. The Slovakian's serve falters again and a double fault hands Li the break.

  14. Postpublished at 08:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    John Lloyd
    Former British number one on BBC Two

    "She's a big occasion player and she's got good weapons to counteract Dominika Cibulkova. Li Na's very quick, she defends well, serves pretty big and on paper Li Na should win this match."

  15. Postpublished at 08:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    "Cibulokva has attracted headlines this fortnight because she has beaten four players in the top 16, all ranked above her, so impressively."

  16. Get involvedpublished at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Syed Farzam:, external Li Na is the clear favourite, but I'm going to go with Cibulkova just because of the sheer determination she has shown.

  17. Postpublished at 08:38 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    Li Na and Dominika CibulkovaImage source, Reuters

    The players are out on court and bouncing around at the net waiting for the toss. Li wins it and chooses to receive, putting the pressure on Cibulkova to serve first in her first Grand Slam final.

  18. Get involvedpublished at 08:36 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    So do you think we've got another giant-killing on our hands? Can Dominika Cibulkova become the 43rd woman to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era?

    Or will Li Na, who did not have to beat a player seeded higher than her on the way to the final, use her experience and cope with the huge expectation from her native China - 120 million people saw her win the French Open three years ago - to win her second major?

    Tweet us using the #bbctennis hashtag or text 81111 (UK only) with your thoughts.

  19. Postpublished at 08:31 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    John Lloyd
    Former British number one on BBC Two

    "I think Dominika Cibulkova is the quickest player on tour. She is so fast around the court. She used to be a good shot-maker - and she still is - but her defensive play was not strong. However, she has improved on that so much and in this tournament she has been just brilliant."

  20. Live TV coveragepublished at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2014

    We're up and running on BBC Two and in the video console at the top of the page, with Sue Barker in the studio with former British number one John Lloyd. We're expecting the players on court in just over five minutes.