'Cheika can bring success to NSW'

Talking tough ... Cheika isn't too impressed with the ARU's idea. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Ewen McKenzie believes new Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is tailor-made to reawaken the sleeping Super Rugby giant that is NSW.

Former Waratahs mentor McKenzie, who took the underachieving province to two grand finals in four seasons before being cut adrift in 2008, is wary of a NSW uprising under his long-time Randwick teammate.

Now aiming to guide Queensland to a third straight season on top of the Australian conference, McKenzie knows the task will be tougher with Cheika ensuring a cultural overhaul within a Wallabies-laden roster.

Despite their obvious depth of talent, the Waratahs won just four matches last season and coach Michael Foley quit to link with the Western Force.

''Cheika will culturally get them focussed,'' McKenzie told AAP.

''He's very motivated, he understands team culture and will do a good job.

''And all the players have enjoyed the highest representation in the Wallabies so those two things together will make some sort of difference and that will be good for Australian rugby if the Waratahs are out there.''

McKenzie led NSW to the 2005 and 2008 deciders as well as the 2006 semi-finals but well knows the pressure that comes with the Waratahs job following an injury-hit 2007 and subsequent axing at the end of his five-year contract.

''A lot of people like to contribute,'' he said of the environment.

''In the end Cheiks has a good personality for all of that.

''He doesn't suffer fools, he's pretty much his own man, he'll articulate that and no one will be left not understanding about what's required.

''When you've got that you can drive a team ethos and culture in a certain direction.

''I'm sure they will make good progress.''

Ironically, Cheika - who coached Irish club Leinster to the European Cup before heading to Stade Francais - will make his Super Rugby coaching debut opposing McKenzie when the Waratahs play the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on February 23.

Cheika has quickly earned a reputation for adding a harder edge to the Waratahs through a tough pre-season training campaign, and also admitted bringing cultural change was a major part of his job.

''Ewen knows that more than anyone because he was the last person to be able to put the right identity into the Waratahs jersey,'' Cheika said.

''They had a strong culture then and it's up to us to make sure we have that uncompromising nature about us no matter who plays.

''You know it's a difficult challenge that every coach must meet.

''You just have to make your own page with the guys and get the buy-in with the way we want to do things. So far that's the case.

''I've really enjoyed myself so far.''

Halfback Brendan McKibbin has emerged as a captaincy contender and will lead the Waratahs in their opening two trials, starting Saturday against the Rebels in Hobart.

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Gayle, Haddin put feud behind them

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Dwayne Bravo ... says Chris Gayle and Brad Haddin have put their feud behind them. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo insists Chris Gayle and Brad Haddin have put their ongoing feud to bed as the Prime Minister's XI prepare to host the West Indies in Canberra on Tuesday.

Sydney Sixers captain Haddin initially sparked the big row last month when he questioned Gayle's value to the winless Thunder.

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Gayle used Twitter to retaliate with a tirade the next day.

However West Indies all-rounder Bravo on Monday said both his fellow countryman and Haddin had put the disagreement behind them for the Manuka Oval match on Tuesday night - Canberra's first ever day/night match.

"We are all teammates we are all friends," the West Indies vice-captain said.

"Chris is a very easy going guy, a fun loving person.

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"And I was fortunate to be led by Haddin when I played for the Sixers last year. He's a lovely guy also.

"It's something they have both put behind them."

Bravo also jumped to the defence of Gayle's form, saying he was only one innings away from being back to his devastating best.

"We all know Chris is one of the best players in the world, you can't hide that, and these conditions suit him," Bravo said, referring to Gayle's 146 off 89 balls against the PM's XI three years ago.

"I know obviously he had a bad Big Bash this year but the previous seasons he did o.well with the bat. I hope that people remember that and know that he's still dangerous."

Haddin was also quick to play down the row with Gayle.

"I think it will be all good," he said.

"That was about a month ago. We're here to celebrate the PM's XI. That's not in my thoughts anymore."

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Rodgers rages at misfiring Reds

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Brendan Rodgers ... hits out after his side were sent packing from the FA Cup. Source: PAUL ELLIS / AFP

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was disappointed with the young players he handed a chance to as they crashed out of the FA Cup at League One side Oldham.

Rodgers was left bemused by a below-par effort from a mixed Liverpool side in the 3-2 fourth-round defeat at Boundary Park as they were hardly in the game in the first half.

Things improved a little when he brought on added experience in the second period, but Joe Allen's 80th minute goal came too late to turn around a Sunday afternoon the red-faced Liverpool manager would rather forget.

Ties to be played on February 16-17:

Huddersfield Town or Leicester City v Wigan Athletic

Milton Keynes Dons v Barnsley

Oldham Athletic v Everton

Luton Town v Millwall

Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers

Manchester City v Leeds United 

Manchester United v Reading 

Middlesbrough v Brentford or Chelsea

"We are bitterly disappointed. We started the first half poorly and we started the second half and got punished," Rodgers said. "We've got a big week of games but our mentality in that opening period was poor and it ended up costing us.

"I was disappointed with the young players today I've got to be honest.

"We are trying to give them experience and let them see what it was like to play for Liverpool. It is not just about playing for Liverpool, you have to be competitive and be part of a group that is going to challenge for trophies.

"It is not enough to play for Liverpool and get up for the Arsenal and Manchester City games because if we are going to win trophies you need to be able to come to places like Oldham and win and we weren't good enough for that."
Brendan Rodgers Quotes of the week

"I thought how we reacted to that and how we performed, knowing that is what we are looking for, was disappointing.

"We were just too much on the back foot early on, you really have to be aggressive. These are different games to the Premier League: Premier League games are nice, you go in and teams will pass the ball and give you time to get your shape.

"These games are a different type of football, you have to roll your sleeves up be strong and aggressive and unfortunately for us there were too many who weren't.

"It is just a different type of football where you have to stand up and be counted. It is great to put young players in but you have to have personality and the young players disappointed."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/8447258/Liverpool-s-young-players-face-the-wrath-of-boss-Brendan-Rodgers

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Australia's final-ball heartache

Party time ... Sri Lanka overcome the rain and Australia to win at the MCG. Source: Dan Himbrechts / AAP

Sri Lanka's tour of Australia finished in ugly scenes as players clashed on field and had to be physically separated following Sri Lanka's two-run win in the second Twenty20 clash at the MCG.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

28 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Australia 1st Innings

S. Marsh	47	40	2	2	117.5
G. Maxwell	8	3	2	0	266.67
T. Perera	3	0	25	1	8.33

Monday night's defeat means Australia lost the series two-nil and remain seventh on the world rankings.

Sri Lanka scored 4-161 and Australia reached 2-60 from 10 overs before a 45-minute rain delay.

Australia resumed with a revised target of 122 from 15 overs and finished on 3-119.

Skipper George Bailey hit 45 and Shaun Marsh was unbeaten on 47, while Glenn Maxwell hit his first two deliveries for four and needed another boundary from the final delivery to clinch victory.

Maxwell (eight not out) missed the final ball and ran a bye as Australia finished three shy of victory.

Before the final ball, Sri Lanka's fielders had gathered around the bowler Thisara Perera to offer advice and an angry Maxwell yelled at the tourists to get on with it.

This prompted Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene to yell back at Maxwell and the pair clashed immediately after the final over in a nose-to-nose argument while Perera taunted Maxwell.

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Several Australia players also argued with Jayawardene during the on-field handshakes in front of 39,247 fans.

Needing 18 from the final over with eight wickets in hand, Australia scored 14 off the first five balls including two successive fours from Maxwell after Bailey's exit caught at deep-square leg.

Bailey suffered a foot injury while batting and could be in doubt for Friday's first one-day international against West Indies in Perth.

Earlier, Jayawardene (61 not out) shared a 63-run partnership with Jeevan Mendis (25) for Sri Lanka's fourth wicket before plundering 20 runs from the final over with Thisara Perera.

Perera belted an unbeaten 35 from 15 deliveries.

Jayawardene and Perera added 59 from 28 deliveries.

Offspinner Maxwell (1-23 from four overs) and paceman James Faulkner (1-24) were able to restrict Sri Lanka's scoring.

However Ben Laughlin's final over -- which went for 20 runs including one bye -- blew out his figures to 1-40 and fellow quick Mitchell Starc (0-35) also struggled.

Australia have not won a T20 series since February 2010.

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Man United stars backed RVP move

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Player power ... Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes welcomed Robin van Persie. Source: Jon Super / AAP

Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson consulted his senior players before moving for Robin van Persie.

Van Persie made the move from Arsenal to Old Trafford last summer in a £24million deal and he has made an instant impact at United.

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Meulensteen admits the coaching staff spoke to Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to find out if Van Persie's arrival would lead to any problems in the dressing room and that they gave their backing for the signing of the Dutchman.

"The players at United never saw Robin as an intruder," said Meulensteen. "The boss and I tested that before we made a move for him. We dropped Robin's name with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

"We said to them, 'What would you think if Robin van Persie comes here?' They both said the same thing. They both thought it would be outrageous if Robin came to United - and later so did all the other players.

"The reason we discussed it with Ryan and Paul is because they stand for the culture of Manchester United in the dressing room. They keep that culture and protect it."

Meulensteen believes the arrival of Van Persie has given United and the rest of the squad an air of invincibility.

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"Robin is an absolute professional. He's a fantastic trainer and he delivers on the pitch," added Meulensteen.

"That creates a security for players. They feel nothing bad can happen to them because we have got Robin van Persie. We really missed that kind of influence last season.

"He gives the team an invincible feeling. They think 'We've got Van Persie. With him we are always going to score. We can always give him the ball and he will always do something magical with it'."

Meulensteen feels Van Persie was the perfect signing to take United on to the next level after missing out on the Premier League title to neighbours Manchester City last season.

"It was time for Manchester United to have a big-name player like Robin van Persie again," continued Meulensteen. "In the last few seasons, we had squeezed everything out of our star players and last season we were just not good enough.

"He's a really world-class act. As one of the biggest clubs in the world we really needed a player like him."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8446019/Manchester-United-s-senior-players-consulted-before-Robin-van-Persie-deal

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Watson not an open and shut case

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Open battle ... Shane Watson and Ed Cowan. Source: Arnulfo Franco / AAP

Everyone talks about the balance of a side. Sometimes it just doesn't look right, then you move one or two around and it just has a better feel to it.

Australian selectors are hoping their balance is right come Test cricket, that's evident by sticking with Ed Cowan and batting Shane Watson at number four.

But we've heard arguments for Watson to open and that's no surprise when you look at his record.

Watson's career average is only 37, but his average as an opener is 43.67.

Delve deeper, remembering there's a double Ashes campaign coming up and his record against England is even better. He's batted 15 times against them, opening on every occasion and averages 48.21.

Before the Ashes though, there's India, where he's batted 11 times and averaged just over 40.

On seven of those occasions though, he came in at number six. Of the four innings he opened he hit 126, 56, 57 and 32 – averaging just over 67.

It's a compelling argument to have him bat with Warner.

But what about Ed Cowan. He has the look of an opener, but not the stats to match – so far.

In 13 tests and 22 innings he's averaged just 32.82. He did score a ton against South Africa this summer but inconsistency is his biggest problem. But let's not be too quick to crucify him, given Australia really doesn't have a wealth of batting to call on and the retirement of Mike Hussey hasn't helped the cause.

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And remember, Matt Hayden was dropped twice from the test team before third time lucky saw him cement his spot. After the same period, 13 tests, Hayden didn't even average 25.

At the back of the selectors minds is Cowan's trip with Australia A to England last year, where he averaged a touch of over 61. His patience and ability to let balls go in moving conditions will be a plus and the selectors are hoping that's the case. It would also make a great foil for Warner.

Clever Cowan will also have stint with Nottinghamshire in the first half of their season, ensuring he gets his eye in before the Ashes.

But with Watson's record as an opener so compelling, Ed is safe for India, a series could make or break him.

We'll get through India first with Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Watson, Clarke and probably Khawaja to make up the top six.

Will the same six play the first test in Trent Bridge in early July?  Selectors hope so because it means form on the board.

But a nasty tour of India could change all that! And well know Watson wants to open !

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Bell ton hands England ODI win

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Match winner ... Ian Bell scored a classy unbeaten century against India. Source:AAP

Ian Bell scored a superb unbeaten century to guide England to a morale-boosting seven-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final one-day international in Dharamsala.

Bell finished on 113 not out, becoming the tenth Englishman to record a one-day hundred on Indian soil, to ensure the tourists ended on a high despite India ultimately claiming a 3-2 series win.

Earlier Tim Bresnan had led the way for England with the ball on his final appearance before being sent for treatment on a nagging elbow injury, taking 4-45 as the hosts struggled to 226 all out.

Suresh Raina held the India innings together as he made a tenacious, if at times fortunate, 83 to help his side recover from 49-4 early on.

But things could and perhaps should have been better for England who put down a total of five catches, including two tough ones in three balls off Raina.

Bresnan quickly proved he was still fit enough to cause India problems when he sent back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with successive balls in the fourth over; Sharma was first to go for four as he edged to James Tredwell at second slip and the dangerous Kohli bagged a golden duck next up, following a wider one and offering Tredwell a second catch which he clung on to after a spot of juggling.

Yuvraj Singh survived the hat-trick ball but was soon gone for nought, squared up by Steven Finn and floating a catch to Eoin Morgan at point and, when Gautam Gambhir (24) was caught by Ian Bell off Tredwell, India had still not reached 50.

Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni set about rebuilding the innings and added 30 - including a straight six from Raina off Tredwell - before Finn returned to trap the home captain lbw for 15.

It was a huge scalp but Raina had not given up the fight and found a willing ally in Ravindra Jadeja (39), who helped accelerate the run-rate with two straight sixes of his own and taking the score to 136-5 with 15 overs left.

England put down Raina twice in the space of three balls, on 61 and 63, Cook diving at square leg and Tredwell getting finger tips to a return chance, but Tredwell (2-25) continued his memorable series by breaking the 78-run partnership when a Jadeja mis-hit looped into Bell's hands.

Raina was now playing a lone hand and reached 83 before pulling Woakes straight to Bell at mid-wicket, but the Indian tail then wagged as Ravichandran Ashwin (19) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (31) both had fun towards the end to push India on towards respectability.But the total always looked below-par, and even more so after Alastair Cook and Bell had given England a solid start to their reply by reaching 50 without loss.

Cook did depart soon after as Ishant Sharma snuck one through his defences to bowl him for 22, while Kevin Pietersen managed just six before he was well caught on the boundary rope by a running Jadeja off the bowling of Shami Ahmed.

But Joe Root joined Bell to put England back on track, the Yorkshireman contributing 31 in a stand of 79 before succumbing to Jadeja, bowled as he attempted a rather ambitious sweep.

That would be India's last success, though, as Eoin Morgan produced an impressive cameo of 40 from 40 balls to get England over the line alongside the majestic Bell.

The Warwickshire right-hander's innings contained 13 fours and a single six, while Morgan blazed four maximums during his stay to ensure the tourists got home with 16 balls to spare.

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Djokovic creates Aussie Open history

Novak Djokovic ... created history by winning his third straight Aussie Open crown. Source: Dita Alangkara / AAP

Tennis ironman Novak Djokovic has etched his name in the history books with a bruising four-set Australian Open final triumph over Andy Murray.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round F, 27/01/13

Djo (1)	6	7	6	6
Mur (3)	7	6	3	2

The world No.1 wore down Murray in a three-hour, 40-minute war of attrition to become the first man to complete an Australian Open hat-trick in the 45-year professional era.

Only two other men in history - American Jack Crawford (1931-33) and Australian Roy Emerson (1963-67) have won three or more consecutive Australian championships.

Djokovic's victory avenged his five-set final loss to Murray at last year's US Open and drew the Serb level on the all-time grand slam leaderboard with modern-day greats Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg with six career majors.

The 25-year-old's fourth Open crown also matched the record of Roger Federer and Andre Agassi, who fittingly was on hand to present the trophies to the two final combatants at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night.

"What a joy. It's an incredible feeling winning this trophy once more," Djokovic said

"It's definitely my favourite grand slam. I love this court."

Murray had been eyeing his own slice of history as the first man ever to hold the Olympic, US Open and Australian Open titles simultaneously - but instead suffered his fifth defeat in six grand slam finals.

But he was gracious in defeat.

"Novak, his record here is incredible. Very few people have been able to do what he's done here and he's a well-deserved champion," said Murray, runner-up in Melbourne in 2010, 2011 and now again.

After missing a real chance to claim a two-sets-to-love advantage, the Scot appeared to suffer a hamstring injury - possibly scar tissue from his sapping five-set semi-final win over Federer 48 hours earlier - and was unable to match the supreme physical conditioning of his great rival.

Last year's famous final between Djokovic and Rafael Nadal was the longest in grand slam history, an epic stretching five hours, 53 minutes and finishing at almost two o'clock on Monday morning.

And with the past two major meetings between Djokovic and Murray both lasting almost five hours as well, a repeat of the 2012 title marathon looked a possibility for more than two sets as the baseline gladiators slugged it out relentlessly from the back court.

Djokovic had five break-point chances in the opening set, including four after having Murray at love-40 in the seventh game, but his inability to convert proved costly.

Murray forced a tiebreaker and Djokovic handed it to the Scot with six unforced errors.

On a roll, Murray won 10 straight points - and 17 of 19 - to surge ahead 1-0 in the second set and suddenly have Djokovic under extreme pressure at love-40.

But the Serb dug deep to save and the service hold proved critical as the second set almost inevitably was decided almost an hour later in another tiebreaker.

On this occasion, it was Murray who lost his nerve, the third seed double-faulting after a feather blew onto the court to gift Djokovic the vital mini-break.

The top seed needed no second invitation back into the match and was on level terms after two hours, 13 minutes, and then delivered a hammer blow in the eighth game of the third set.

After the pair shared 31 straight service holds, Djokovic pressed to break Murray for 5-3 and closed out the set to be in front for the first time all match after two hours and 54 minutes.

Djokovic could smell blood when he broke Murray for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set and moved in for the kill.

All hope was lost for Murray when he double-faulted to hand Djovokic the decisive double break for 4-1 and the Serb triumphed on his first match point when a weary Murray netted a backhand.

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Ten-man Wanderers break Heart

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Warrior ... Shinji Ono scores for the Wanderers. Source: Quentin Jones / AAP

Even a 10-man Western Sydney proved too strong for Melbourne Heart as the A-League newcomers continued their remarkable rise with a 1-0 victory.

Despite having defender Jerome Polenz sent off in the 13th minute, the Wanderers were totally dominant in front of 14,624 fans at Parramatta Stadium.

Shinji Ono's 73rd-minute penalty secured the win, after Josip Tadic earlier had a spot kicked saved following Polenz's sending off.

The win was Western Sydney's third straight and they climb into third place, ahead of Adelaide United on goal difference.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	18	11	5	2	17	38
2	Victory	18	10	3	5	3	33
3	Western Sydney	18	10	2	6	8	32
4	Adelaide	18	10	2	6	4	32
5	Heart	18	6	3	9	-2	21
6	Newcastle	17	6	3	8	-8	21
7	Brisbane	18	6	2	10	-1	20
8	Sydney	18	6	2	10	-9	20
9	Perth	18	5	4	9	-1	19
10	Wellington	17	4	4	9	-11	16

The Heart were left to rue a big opportunity to boost their finals hopes after Polenz's early exit, and the defeat leaves them in danger of dropping out of the top six.

Referee Strebre Delovski showed no hesitation in brandishing a red card early after David Williams had broken on goal before being clattered from behind by right back Polenz.

Tadic stepped up for the resulting penalty but couldn't convert it, with Ante Covic swatting his shot away with relative ease.

Midfielder Aaron Mooy was sacrificed for Lacopa La Rocca in a tactical switch and the Wanderers remained the more dangerous side.

Mark Bridge, Dino Kresinger and Ono all forced decent saves out of Andrew Redmayne while Nicholas Kalmar came closest for the visitors with a long-range drive in the 34th minute.

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Miss something? Relive every tackle, foul and goal at our Match Centre.

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As Australia Day fireworks exploded around the stadium, the tempo of the game slowed early the second half as the Heart started to grow into the game.

But Western Sydney regained the ascendancy and finally got their breakthrough when Youssouf Hersi - who had caused havoc in attack all night - was brought down in the box by David Vrankovic.

Ono stepped up and buried the penalty for his fifth goal of the season.

Tadic had a late chance for redemption but was denied by a great Covic stop.

In a positive for the Heart, former Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella made his long-awaited return from injury off the bench in the 67th minute, his first appearance since last playing for Blackburn in September, 2011.

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Striker Eli Babalj also came on, having returned to the club on after being released by Serbian club Red Star Belgrade.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic felt the way his side reacted to going a man down showed how much it had matured.

"That's another first for us. The boys have shown that down to 10 men, they're not just going gung-ho. They're playing with structure and playing with belief and confidence,'' Popovic said.

"You could see at halftime in the change room, they really believed they could win the game. It wasn't just hope.''

The coach feared at one stage the Wanderers may not get a reward for their dominance.

"But I certainly would have been proud after the game whether we won or lost that one,'' Popovic said.

Heart coach John Aloisi was at a loss to explain his side's flat performance.

"We weren't good. The penalty incident I don't think would have changed much,'' Aloisi said.

"They were better than us ... which is disappointing because 10 against 11, you expect it to be the other way around.

"We can't be performing like that, it's just not good enough.''

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Azarenka downs Li in dramatic final

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Still the one ... Victoria Azarenka retains her No.1 ranking and Aussie Open crown. Source:AAP

Victoria Azarenka broke down in tears after retaining her Australian Open crown and world No.1 ranking with a drama-charged final triumph over Chinese challenger Li Na.

In an extraordinary encounter, Li needed two separate medical timeouts and was treated for possible concussion before finally succumbing 4-6 6-4 6-3 to the top seed after two hours and 40 suspense-filled minutes on Saturday night.

Australian Open: Ladies Singles

Round F, 26/01/13

Aza (1)	4	6	6
Li (6)	6	4	3

Li had hundreds of millions of Chinese hearts in mouths for the first time when she collapsed in a heap during the second set and hobbled off court.

She returned, though, six minutes later with her left ankle strapped and recovered from a service break down to draw level at 4-4 and close to within two games of taking the title.

Li looked for a second time like she may have to retire after falling heavily and hitting her head on the Melbourne Park centre court on the very first point after the resumption from a nine-minute break for the Australia Day fireworks.

Li was cleared after medical testing from tournament doctors and conjured a break point while leading 2-1 in the deciding set, only for Azarenka to rally and deny the 2011 French Open champion a place in the history books as the oldest woman to win the Open singles crown.

Had Azarenka lost, the Belarusian would also have relinquished her top ranking to Serena Williams, the reigning Wimbledon, US Open and Olympic champion.

Instead, she joins Williams (17), Venus Williams (7), Maria Sharapova (4) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (2) as the only active players with multiple grand slam titles.

It was not the most popular Open victory after the 23-year-old was roundly condemned for taking a controversial double medical timeout immediately after blowing five match points in her semi-final victory over American teenager Sloane Stephens.

While Li was afforded a rousing reception upon her entry to Rod Laver Arena, applause for Azarenka was subdued and at times the top seed was heckled by fans.

The Belarusian had the last laugh, though, collecting the winner's cheque for a record $2.43 million after seeing off Li in a tense rollercoaster ride lasting almost two-and-three-quarter hours.

"It's been a long two weeks for me," Azarenka admitted.

Li, turning 31 next month, had been bidding to remove Australian great Margaret Smith Court from a page in the Open record books as the oldest woman to reign in the 45-year open era.

Alas, lightning struck twice for the Chinese tennis pioneer who two years ago became her country's first and only major singles champion with a breakthrough success at Roland Garros.

Entering Saturday night's final, Li was the only player in the past 25 grand slam women's deciders to squander a one-set lead.

That defeat came against Kim Clijsters at Melbourne Park in 2011.

Now it has happened again in a final full of twists and turns.

But she vowed to return to try again.

"I know I'm not young, but I have to say I'm very (much) looking forward to next year," Li said.

Drama and tension aside, it was not the highest-quality final with the match featuring 16 service breaks and 77 unforced errors in 29 games.

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