Clijsters outlasts Li to set up Jankovic final

SYDNEY, Jan 11 (Reuters) Kim Clijsters survived a ferocious fightback from China's Li Na today to book her place in the Sydney International final against in-form Serb Jelena Jankovic.

Third seed Clijsters had to draw on all her big-match experience and reserves of energy in the scorching heat to record a 6-1 1-6 7-5 victory, joining Jankovic in tomorrow's final at Sydney's Olympic tennis centre.

Jankovic produced an inspired performance in beating Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic 6-4 4-6 6-4 to reach her second final in a week, despite struggling with lower back pain for most of her match against the eighth seed.

Jankovic won last week's Auckland Classic then beat Martina Hingis, Samantha Stosur and Amelie Mauresmo in Sydney, but her golden run looked to be coming to an end against Vaidisova when she started to show signs of distress in the first set.

The 21-year-old twice called for help during the second set before taking a medical timeout, but she fought through the pain to chalk up a ninth straight victory this year.

Clijsters, who won the Sydney title in 2003, looked to be cruising to an easy victory when she raced through the opening set in 28 minutes before Li staged her fightback.

Li ran the Belgian ragged in the second set with her booming forehand before Clijsters regained her composure after a 10-minute heat break to wear down her opponent in the decider.

''She's the best Chinese girl out there,'' Clijsters told a news conference.

''She's a very powerful girl and moves well, has a good serve, and she's a good player. She's really improved a lot.'' Clijsters sailed through her first two matches for the loss of just six games but said Li had given her the perfect workout she needed for next week's Australian Open.

''It's nice to be out on the court like this and be challenged,'' she said.

''Not just by your opponent but by the heat and everything, that makes it a lot more challenging.'' Clijsters said she would have to raise her game even higher against Jankovic, who was one of the most improved players on the tour.

''I've played her a few times and I feel like every match that I've played against her she's become better,'' Clijsters said.

''She looks more confident out there. She could get really uptight and really angry at herself and lose a few games by just getting down on herself... but she's a lot more positive out there now.'' Reuters AY DB1258