Li to defend title

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SYDNEY, Australia -- Defending champion Li Na of China moved into the Sydney International final with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 over Petra Kvitova on Thursday, ending the Czech player's bid to become world No. 1 before the Australian Open.

Kvitova needed to win the Sydney international to replace Caroline Woniacki at No. 1 at the start of next week's rankings and the Wimbledon champion was on track after dominating the first set.

But Li rallied strongly in the second and third sets to reach back-to-back finals at Sydney, where she'll meet either No. 3-ranked Victoria Azarenka or Agnieszka Radwanska.

Li reached the Australian Open final last year two weeks after winning in Sydney. She went one better at the next major, winning the French Open to become the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title.