Li Na: A Star Is Born at the Australian Open!

She looked the most athletic of all the final 16. Li Na's semis win against Caroline Wozniacki was huge and the postmatch interview was well worth the wait.

A star is born!

As she marches to the finals, every potential win is seen in her crisp groundstrokes, her tough serve and at times, her horrid net game.

Li Na has become more than the darling of Asia. She is now ready to meet the world on one of Tennis's biggest stages.

Yes, she is certainly erratic at times, but her game reminds one so much of Jimmy Connors—another at times uneven player—who took the ball so often on the rise and withered his opponents from one side to another with definitive winners so often, the mistakes were easy to overlook.

So are Li Na's.

We have a great finals coming up since we get to see Li Na play. If she plays Kim Clijsters, it will be a real barn-burner worth every penny of the purse.

Yes, Li Na said she was happy to win because of the purse! And she also complained in good spirits about her husband-coach's snoring.

At one point in the match, she put her finger to her mouth to shut her husband up. And, dutifully, he playfully zipped his mouth.

Good thing, too. From there on out, despite the many breaks, Li Na had the match at hand.

We may see better tennis, but it will be very difficult to find. Without nerves of steel at the end of the second set, Wozniacki could have won easily after holding match point.

Yet, back from the grave came Li Na, the more fit and compact player won the second set and after six or so breaks took the rest of the match.

Are we to see more of this charming woman who is such a great interviewee?

It would be only fitting. After the news media had the date of her fifth anniversary wrong, she and her husband could celebrate their wedding and the purse in style in a few days. 

Li Na will break through and make more history. Already the only Asian woman in a Grand Slam singles final, Li Na should return to her home where her mother has better things to do (and never attends any of her daughter's matches) and put on a great party.

The whole continent will be watching.