The battle to be the women's world number one tennis player remains on ice until the Australian Open after China's Li Na played the role of spoiler at the Sydney International.
Defending champion Li recovered from a set and a break down to beat Petra Kvitova in three sets, dashing any hopes the Czech had of becoming the 21st women's world number one.
With Caroline Wozniacki's loss in Wednesday's quarter-final to Agnieszka Radwanska, the door was left open for Kvitova to usurp the Dane and assume the mantle of the top player - assuming she won the Sydney title.
