KEY POINTS:
Kim Clijsters survived a ferocious fightback from China's Li Na yesterday to book her place in the Sydney International final against in-form Serb Jelena Jankovic.
Third seed Clijsters had to draw on all her big-match experience and reserves of energy in the scorching heat to record a 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 victory, joining Jankovic in today's final at Sydney's Olympic tennis centre.
Jankovic produced an inspired performance in beating Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to reach her second final in a week, despite struggling with lower back pain for most of her match against the eighth seed.
Jankovic won last week's ASB Classic in Auckland then beat Martina Hingis, Samantha Stosur and Amelie Mauresmo in Sydney, but her golden run looked to be coming to an end against Vaidisova when she started to show signs of distress in the first set.
The 21-year-old twice called for help during the second set before taking a medical timeout, but she fought through the pain to chalk up a ninth straight victory this year.
Clijsters looked to be cruising to an easy victory before Li staged her fightback.
- REUTERS