Cibulkova stuns Radwanska to reach Australian Open final

Melbourne, Jan 23 (IANS) Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova took 70 minutes here Thursday to knock out fifth-seed Agnieszka Radwansha in straight sets and make it to her first Grand Slam women’s singles final.

Cibulkova will meet China’s two-time runner-up Li Na in the summit clash, reports Xinhua.

“Li is a great player. I really looked up to her when I was younger and still playing juniors,” said Cibulkova.

“Like every match here I want to fight. I hope people come and support me.”

Cibulkova provided one of the shocks of the tournament when she beat third seed Maria Sharapova in the fourth-round and she reproduced that form again to completely overwhelm Radwanska 6-1, 6-2.

Radwanska only converted one of her nine breakpoint chances and made 18 unforced errors which Cibulkova made only eight.

Cibulkova broke Radwanska in the first game of the match and the Pole never recovered. She broke twice more and sealed the first set.

Radwanska’s fate was confirmed when she netted after 70 minutes to give Cibulkova victory and a place in the record books as the first Slovakian to reach a Grand Slam final.