Victoria Azarenka will attempt to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win consecutive Australian Open titles when she takes on Li Na in what should be an enthralling 2013 Australian Open final.
Join us for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEDT.
Two of the cleanest ball strikers on the WTA tour face off for the right to earn their second career Grand Slam titles.
Azarenka is the reigning Australian Open champion, while Na possesses a French Open title next to her name.
On form, this match-up really is a toss of the coin job between two players who have literally raced their way through to the final.
Na has not dropped a set en route to the Australian Open final and probably deserves favouritism following her dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Maria Sharapova in the semi-final.
Azarenka meanwhile has only dropped one set in the tournament thus far, but her performance in the semi-final against Sloane Stephens caused a lot of controversy.
Having failed to serve for the match in the second set, Azarenka called for an injury timeout citing breathing difficulties.
After a ten minute break, Azarenka came back out on court and broke Stephens’ serve to eventually win the match in straight sets.
Critics however believe Azarenka used the injury timeout as a direct ploy to re-gather her thoughts after ‘choking’ on serve.
Whatever the reasons behind the incident, it will be interesting to see how Azarenka responds on court against Na in the final.
Prediction
Both Azarenka and Na are evenly matched and possess very similar game styles so this final really should go the distance.
Although Azarenka has won her past four matches against Na, most of those wins have been tight affairs so we should see a more competitive final then last year’s Australian Open decider.
Azarenka and Na are both brilliant returners of serve and possess arguably the most dominant backhand shots on the WTA tour.
With both players known for playing aggressive tennis, the result of tonight’s final will largely hinge on which player is able to find their range first.
Although Azarenka has certainly impressed in her run to the final, Na’s victories over strong favourites Agnieszka Radwańska and Sharapova should give her the confidence necessary to beat the world no. 1 and win the 2013 Australian Open title.
Na in three sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Congratulations to Azarenka for winning a classic Aus Open final against Li who battled on very well despite twisting her ankle twice in the match. Azarenka has managed to overcome the controversy from her semi-final and played clutch tennis when it counted to come back from a set down to win in three sets. She is now the new queen of Melbourne Park. Thanks for joining us tonight and join us tomorrow for Djokovic - Murray. Azarenka 4 6 6 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND CHAMPIONSHIP AZARENKA - And after two and a half hours, Azarenka now has a championship point as Li sends her backhand wide. Li sends her backhand long and Azarenka wins back to back Australian Open titles. What a performance!!!!\ Azarenka 4 6 6 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Li with another clutch backhand in behind Azarenka and its game point here. Li nets the backhand though and its deuce. Azarenka so close to the finish line here. Azarenka 4 6 5 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Li with a fantastic passing backhand winner after it appeared that Azarenka was in control of that point. 30-15. Azarenka with another crosscourt forehand winner though and its 30 all Azarenka 4 6 5 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Li hits her backhand long and its 0-15. Just the start Azarenka would have wanted. Clutch backhand winner down the line from Li and its 15 all Azarenka 4 6 5 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Great wide serve from Azarenka and she holds and is one game away from winning her second Aus Open title. Can Li hold here? Azarenka 4 6 5 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Li's backhand return goes long and its deuce. Huge game this one for both players. Azarenka with a clutch forehand winner and its game point now Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Azarenka nets the forehand as Li did just enough with the topspin forehand to force the error from the world no. 1. Break point for Li Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Li nets the backhand return and its 15-30. That was a second serve aswell and she didn't put it away. Li long with the forehand and its 30 all Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Li off to a strong start here as she hits a forehand winner for 0-15. Another crosscourt forehand and its 0-30. Li in with another chance to break Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Li long with the forehand and its 40-30 now. Azarenka has returned well tonight and is forcing the issue here. Li needs a good game here and she gets it with a strong forehand winner and she holds. Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
30-15 as Azarenka's backhand return sails wide. Li with a good serve and backhand combination and its 30 all Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Azarenka with a cracking backhand return and its 0-15 and she can smell blood here. Azarenka nets the return and its 15 all Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Azarenka with a good wide serve and its 40-0 and this is just the game she needed on serve after breaking Li. Azarenka holds very well and she takes a commanding lead in the final set, 4-2 Azarenka 4 6 4 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Li long with the forehand and its 15-0. Li wide with the forehand and its 30-0 and Azarenka well on her way to victory here. Azarenka 4 6 3 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK AZARENKA - Azarenka lets rip with the backhand crosscourt and she breaks yet again to lead 3-2 in the final set. Can she hold? Azarenka 4 6 3 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault from Li and its 15-30 now as the door opens for Azarenka here as she faces a second serve. Li's backhand is just wide and its two break points for Azarenka now. Huge point coming up Azarenka 4 6 2 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Li wide with the forehand and its 0-15. Azarenka hitting the ball well here as she looks to break. Good serve and backhand combination from Li and its 15 all Azarenka 4 6 2 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Great hitting from Azarenka and she holds well under pressure and its 2-2 third set. Azarenka 4 6 2 Li 6 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Azarenka forces deuce with a brilliant point moving Li around the baseline well with her forehand and backhand. Li long with the forehand and its game point Azarenka 4 6 1 Li 6 4 2