Li was playing in her first grand slam singles semi-final and could have taken the match if she played a few points a bit better. Li had six double faults to Serena’s two. The key stat was 45 winners for Serena and just 22 for Li, to contrast this Li had 38 unforced errors to Serena’s 24.

Both players pounded the ball. Serena had 12 aces to pickup some easy points. That perhaps was the difference. Li always had to battle hard to win a point.

Serena will be looking to win back-to-back titles for the first time and become the first person to do so since Jennifer Capriati did it back in 2001-2002.

If Serena can win the 2010 Australian Open title she will add to her titles won in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

The interesting thing to come from the appearance of Li Na and Zheng Jie in the Australian Open semi-finals will be just what impact it has back in China.