China’s charming Li Na wins Australian Open at last … and Chris Evert presents her with the trophy!

I’m so happy for Li Na, the world’s fourth-ranked tennis player who won the Australian Open title earlier today.

It was her third trip to the final and she beat 20th-ranked Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (3), 6-0.

It is the charming Chinese star’s second grand slam title overall. She won the French Open in 2011.

Not bad for a 32 year old who has become the oldest Australian Open women’s champion in history – a feat many assumed Serena Williams, also 32, would accomplish this tournament.

But Serena lost unexpectedly in the fourth round and failed in her attempt to match the 18 grand slam championships won by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova during their legendary careers.

Speaking of Evert, she was Down Under working as a commentator for ESPN and was selected to present the women’s trophy.

While Chrissie had more success at the French Open (7 titles), the US Open (6 titles) and Wimbledon (3 titles), she managed to win the Australian Open twice in her career despite only playing in it six times. And all six times, she made it to the final.