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Li Na wins Gold Coast tournament in return from rib injury

GOLD COAST, Australia -- China's Li Na won the Australian women's hardcourt tennis championship following a six-month layoff because of a rib injury, beating Victoria Azarenka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday.

It was the 25-year-old Li's second WTA Tour title, adding to her 2004 victory in Guangzhou. She last played in Birmingham, England, in June.

Li beat top-seeded Nicole Vaidisova in the quarterfinals and fourth-seeded Patty Schnyder in the semifinals.

Azarenka, from Belarus, needed treatment for a right upper-thigh injury when leading 4-3 in the first set. She called a medical timeout and returned with her leg heavily strapped, but it didn't appear to affect her movement.

In the deciding set at 4-4, Li broke Azarenka's service in the ninth game, hitting a stinging backhand on break point that Azarenka couldn't reach. Li then held service in the next game, winning on her first match point when Azarenka hit a forehand long.

The tournament will shift next year to Brisbane and be combined with the men's hardcourt tournament being played for the final time this year at Adelaide.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
 
 
 
 
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