PHOTOS: Li Na beats Cibulkova to win Australian Open

China's Li Na became the first player from Asia-Pacific to clinch the Australian Open title after defeating Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 7-6, 6-0 at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

Cibulkova saved a match-point but hit a forehand wide to allow Li Na get third time lucky after the Chinese finished runners-up in the last two years.

Li became the fourth woman to win the title after fighting off a match-point in her third round match against Lucie Safarova.

Li Na won the first set 7-6 after being stretched into the tie-break.

She clinched it after an hour and 10 minutes.

Cibulkova broke Li Na and then held serve in the last game to take the first set into the tie-breaker.

The last tie-break in a women's final at the Australian Open was in 2003 when the William sisters -- Serena and Venus -- clashed.

Among the big names present at the match was Former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, with his partner Ann Neil.

Former World No 1 Chris Evert was also at the final to give away the winners' trophy.

After a slow start in the first set, Li Na raced to a 4-0 lead in the second set. 

She broke Cibulkova in the second game and then had a second break of serve. She didn't do much wrong as she cruised home.

Her first serve percentage was up to 57% from 13% in the set 1. She struck 31 winners to Cibulkova's 10 in the second set.