In the end, the much-anticipated all Chinese women's decider never eventuated at the Australian Open as the country's two surprise semi-finalists certainly went down in contrasting fashion on Thursday.
While Li Na showed once again why she has just become the first Chinese player to reach the top 10 in the world in going down in two, tight tiebreak sets to world No.1 Serena Williams, her countrywoman Zheng Jie was humiliated in the other semi-final by former world No.1 Justine Henin.
The two greatest female tennis players of the 21st century so far - who between them have won 18 Grand Slam singles titles - were the warmest of favourites going into the semi-finals against the unheralded Chinese pair and were seemingly destined to advance to their first ever Grand Slam final meeting against each other.
But while Henin barely had to raise a sweat in blowing 35th ranked Zheng off the court in just 51 minutes - 6-1 6-0 - Williams had to work for every point against the courageous Li before winning 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-1).
Incredibly Li was broken just once for the entire match - in the opening game of the first set - as Williams could convert just one of nine break point opportunities for the match.
But Li rarely got a look-in against the powerful Williams serve and also converted just one of her four break points.
However the 27-year-old, who was appearing in her first Grand Slam semi-final, lost no admirers after keeping Williams on court for just over two hours.
"I lose the match so of course I am a little bit sad at stopping the semi-finals," Li said.
"But this was a good day for my tennis, I played well today."
Li said the difference between her and Williams was the world No.1's devastating serve.
"I mean everyone saw the match, everyone knows she has a big serve."
"I think I have to practice much, much more my serve."
"I mean I have a break point and she just serves an ace and her service games she played just so easy and if she wants to win a point she just serves an ace."
"So yeah after the match I talked to my team and talked to my coach and (they said) you have to work a lot on your serve."
In contrast Zheng admitted she never had a chance against a player she admits is her favourite on the tour.
"I think she played so well today and it's a surprise because you wouldn't think it was her second tournament back (after Henin's 14-month retirement between May 2008 and September 2009)."
"She served her games so well and I never had a chance."
Zheng, who was appearing in her second Grand Slam singles semi-final after also making the last four at Wimbledon in 2008, said Henin has come back every bit as good as the player she was before her short-lived retirement.
"Before the game I was a little bit nervous because this is semi-final of Australian Open and she is my favourite player and I knew it would be a tough match," she said of the seven-time Grand Slam winner.
"But she served so hard and hit some balls high and others quick and if she plays like this (in the final against Serena Williams) she has a good chance to win another Grand Slam tournament."
However despite the