KIM CLIJSTERS is hoping to end Li Na’s history-making run at the Australian Open today in what could be her last match in Melbourne.

Clijsters admitted yesterday this is likely to be her final full season on the WTA Tour and, while her plans for next season remain sketchy, it is quite conceivable the final against Li could be her swansong on the Rod Laver Arena.

The three-time major winner, 27, has a young daughter and is keen to spend more time at home in Belgium. But, if it is to be her last Australian Open, she is hoping to go out on a high.

She said: “I know this is probably going to be my last full season on the tour and then we will see.

“It’s nice that I am in this spot to reach the final and play for the title. It’s a great feeling to have, knowing that I am not going to be able to come here for five more years.”

Clijsters and Li met in the final of the Medibank International in Sydney just before the season’s first major, with the Belgian surging into a 5-0 lead before Li hit back to win 7-6 (7/3) 6-3. And Clijsters realises there are lessons to be learned from that encounter.

“The first five games I played well,” she added. “I stayed very aggressive, stayed on top of my baseline and that’s something that she is going to do as well.

“I think it’s a matter of who is going to be able to that first, who is going to be a little bit more powerful and with fewer unforced errors that is going to have the best chance to win tomorrow. I don’t think my mental preparation was ready for me to compete 100 per cent against her in that match in Sydney.

‘‘And she played incredibly well – probably the best that she has played against me.

“So it will be tough.”