Nobody expected the Australian Open women’s final to pit Li Na against Dominika Cibulkova, but that is the matchup on Saturday night.  The Tennis View staff puts on their thinking caps to pick a champion.  Will Li exorcise the demons of Melbourne finals past?  Or will Cibulkova put an exclamation point on her fortnight with one last upset?

Joanie Agler

Both women have a legitimate chance at winning this title, so it comes down to execution and belief.  For Li to finally win here, she needs her forehand to be clicking and her cross-court backhand to open up the court.  She must also be willing to move forward to take time away from the speedy Cibulkova.  Regarding experience, it is advantage Li, who has been at this stage on more than one occasion.  Additionally, if things get tight, she needs to remember that she has a perfect 4-0 record against Cibulkova.

For Cibulkova to taste victory, she must keep her unforced error count down and maintain her current balance of offense and defense.  But the most important thing for Cibulkova is self-belief.  She cannot let the occasion get to her and allow nerves to seep into her game.  She must remember that she was the cause of two of the major upsets at this tournament, so why not one more for the title?

It is a tough call given all that has transpired this past fortnight, but the edge goes to Li in two tight sets.

Pick: Li in two

Victoria Chiesa

With her defeat of Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals, Dominika Cibulkova became the first player from Slovakia to make a singles final at a major. Li Na has also become accustomed to seeing her name in the tennis history books, and she also knows the penultimate stage of the Australian Open all too well. She came off second-best to Kim Clijsters in 2011 and Victoria Azarenka in 2013, when she was the underdog. Since being inches from defeat against Lucie Safarova in the third round, she's played like the title favorite, dropping just 12 games. On the other side of the net, being the underdog hasn't been a problem for Cibulkova this tournament. She's thrived in that role since the third round to get to her first major final. 

Cibulkova has wilted under pressure on much smaller occasions, and her nerves haven't been overly taxed this fortnight. Both players have lost just one set this fortnight, but something has to give. Boasting a 4-0 head-to-head advantage, the third time will be the charm for Li Na, who will manage the occasion better and come away with the title. 

Pick: Li in two

Mike Holder

How many of you picked Li Na against Dominika Cibulkova for the matchup in this final? Raise your hand. I doubt there are many hands in the air, but an interesting final pits the 5'3” Slovak who packs a serious punch against the veteran Grand Slam champion from China.

Can Cibulkova, who makes up for her lack of size with aggressive strokes, consistently keep Li Na on the defensive while limiting errors? This can be difficult because Li's quickness and strong cross-court backhand give her the ability to place her shots anywhere on the court cleanly and with pace. Cibulkova has been successful striking winners while keeping unforced errors somewhat in check and dictating play off short balls. However, Li Na's depth of shot is a strength that places even more importance on the Slovak's aggressive return of serve, which has been huge in this tournament.

Although Li has the experience edge, there is no price tag for momentum paired with confidence. For this reason, if Cibulkova can jump to a quick start and keep her nerves in check, I like the 24-year-old to win her first major title by upsetting the No. 4 seed.

Pick: Cibulkova in three

David Kane

In what feels like a redux of last year's Wimbledon, Marion Bartoli's good friend Dominika Cibulkova has reached her first major final on the back of four straight upsets. From former champion Maria Sharapova to Grand Slam bridesmaid Agnieszka Radwanska, no one was safe against the Slovakian dynamo. Against Li Na, she'll once again be the underdog, but the Chinese woman is healthy and looking to end one of her most consistent fortnights yet with a second Grand Slam crown. Aside from a rough three-setter against Lucie Safarova, Li has been fairly untested over six matches. But she dealt well with being the heavy favorite in her semifinal, dispatching newcomer Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets. Both like to take the initiative in rallies, although Cibulkova can rally better than the 2011 French Open Champion. If both are on, we could be in for a high-quality match. If one or both are struggling with nerves, this could get ugly. Quick.

Pick: Li in three

Nick Nemeroff

If Dominika Cibulkova wants to claim her first major title, it will be crucial for her to approach this match like any other. There is a major discrepancy in experience here. Li Na will be playing in her fourth major final, while this will be only Cibulkova’s first. Li will not be phased by the moment, so Cibulkova needs to do everything in her power to ensure she doesn’t let allow the occasion to detract from her tennis. Coming in with a strong state of mind becomes even more important when you take into consideration that Li leads the head-to-head 4-0.

Cibulkova’s serve will be a major tipping point shot in this match. If the Slovakian is unable to make a high percentage of first serves, Li will be all over her relatively weak second serve and should be able to produce the breaks necessary to carry her to the finish line.

Pick: Li in two

Matt Tewhatu

It will be a new face that lifts the Australian Open trophy. They’ve both had stellar tournaments and have taken advantage of the fortune they’ve received. They both play an extremely similar brand of tennis with Na perhaps possessing a more subtle and accurate game.

Until now, Cibulkova has reaped the rewards of a hugely aggressive game plan of targeting the opposition’s weaknesses and hitting them into submission, unlike no other woman in the draw here. The Slovakian has demonstrated that she has the potential to reach the pinnacle of the women’s game despite her current ranking.

On the brink of elimination in the third round, Li has navigated through her side of the draw with relative comfort in a tournament that has been underlined by huge upsets. In the past few years, her accuracy and execution that has set her apart from most opponents. She combines discipline and control with flair, taking topspin forehand volleys with ease.

It will be third time lucky for China’s Li as she leaves behind the nightmares that Rod Laver Arena has held for her in these finals. Her accuracy and her ability to dictate terms to her opponent will be the difference as she mixes power and precision, and her experience will be a telling factor.

Pick:  Li in two

What do you think?  Let us know in the comments.