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As the 2013 Australian Open winds down, the women's semifinal provided more than enough drama to satisfy tennis fans.
One day after being the talk of the tournament when she eliminated Serena Williams, 19-year-old Sloane Stephens saw her run end against top-seeded Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.
But there was a little bit of gamesmanship going on that we will get into with that match, as well as all the information you need to know from the rest of the action from Down Under on Day 11.
Azarenka's Mind Games End Stephens' Run
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images While Stephens might be the future of tennis, at least for American women, she was reminded in the semifinal that the road to the top is long and arduous.
Azarenka, the top seed on the women's side and defending Australian Open champion, defeated Stephens in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. However, Stephens was able to make the end a lot more interesting than that final would indicate.
Serving for the match five different times when up 5-3, Azarenka couldn't put Stephens away. It was at that point things got interesting. Azarenka left the court for 10 minutes to get her left knee and ribs checked out.
While there is nothing wrong with that, Azarenka claimed after the match (via ESPNW.com) that she only requested one injury break. That would only entitle her to one three-minute break. Perhaps Azarenka was playing mind games with Stephens when she found herself in trouble.
Either way, Azarenka will get the chance to defend her championship.
Maria Sharapova Routed by Li Na
Lucas Dawson/Getty Images Who will win the women's Aussie Open title?
After looking like the most dominant player in the tournament for the first 10 days, No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova had no answers for Li Na in the semifinal and was knocked out in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Sharapova has had problems with Li over the last two years. Remember, it was two years ago when Li had her breakthrough by defeating Sharapova in the semifinal of the French Open.
The way that Li beat Sharapova on this day is nothing less than shocking. Sharapova had dropped just nine games coming into the semifinal. She was out of sorts from the start, and Li did exactly what you expect a player of her caliber to do in that scenario.
Li Na and Victoria Azarenka will play in the Australian Open final on Saturday morning at 3 a.m. ET on ESPN 2.
Novak Djokovic Cruises to Australian Open Final
Lucas Dawson/Getty Images Stop me if you have heard this before: Novak Djokovic made quick work of David Ferrer in the men's semifinal and will play in the Australian Open final.
Djokovic, the top seed on the men's side, had no problems against the fourth-seeded Ferrer, winning 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 to make it to the final for the third straight year. He is looking for his fourth career Australian Open championship and third in a row.
After some drama in his fourth-round match against Stanislas Wawrinka, Djokovic has seemingly gotten stronger in his two matches since. He dropped a set against Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinal before dominating Ferrer in a match that took less than 90 minutes.
Djokovic will take on the winner of the Roger Federer-Andy Murray semifinal that takes place on Friday morning.
Men's Semifinal Scores: Day 11
Novak Djokovic (1) defeated David Ferrer (4): 6-2, 6-2, 6-1
Women's Semifinal Scores: Day 11
Victoria Azarenka (1) defeated Sloane Stephens (29): 6-1, 6-4
Li Na (6) defeated Maria Sharapova (2): 6-2, 6-2
Men's Doubles Semifinal: Day 11
Robin Haase/Igor Sijsling defeated Marcel Granollers/Marc Lopez (3): 7-5, 6-4
Mixed Doubles Quarterfinal: Day 11
Lucie Hradecka/Frantisek Cermak defeated Sania Mirza/Bob Bryan (3): 7-5, 6-4
Jarmila Gajdosova/Matthew Ebden defeated Nadia Petrova/Mahesh Bhupathi (5): 6-3, 3-6, 13-11
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