See main article: 2011 Australian Open.
Kim Clijsters defeated Li Na in the final, 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2011 Australian Open. It was her first Australian Open title and her fourth and last major overall, as well as the last singles title of her career.
Li became the first Asian player to reach a singles major final, and would go on to win the French Open a few months later. This was the first major where Caroline Wozniacki competed as the world No. 1; she lost to Li in the semifinals, despite having a match point in the second set.
Serena Williams was the two-time reigning champion, but did not participate due to a long-term foot injury.
The fourth-round match between Svetlana Kuznetsova and Francesca Schiavone, which lasted 4 hours and 44 minutes, was the longest women's singles major match, with Schiavone winning in the third set, 16–14.
This marked the last major for two former world No. 1's: Justine Henin and Dinara Safina, who both retired due to injury (Henin's elbow and Safina's back).[1]
See main article: 2011 Australian Open – Women's singles qualifying.
| Category |  Clijsters |  Li | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st serve % | 56/86 (65%) | 69/96 (72%) | |
| 1st serve points won | 37 of 56 = 66% | 36 of 69 = 52% | |
| 2nd serve points won | 12 of 30 = 40% | 11 of 27 = 41% | |
| Total service points won | 49 of 86 = 56.98% | 47 of 96 = 48.96% | |
| Aces | 1 | 1 | |
| Double faults | 3 | 4 | |
| Winners | 22 | 24 | |
| Unforced errors | 26 | 40 | |
| Net points won | 8 of 14 = 57% | 13 of 23 = 57% | |
| Break points converted | 7 of 17 = 41% | 6 of 12 = 50% | |
| Return points won | 49 of 96 = 51% | 37 of 86 = 43% | |
| Total points won | bgcolor=98FB989 | 98 | 84 |
| Source | |||