Li appeared to become upset with some of the Chinese spectators in the crowd in the third set and asked the chair umpire to intervene. She later complained about the flashes from photographers at center court.
The win for Clijsters, the reigning U.S. Open champion, came in what was likely her last appearance at Melbourne Park -- she said 2011 could be her last full year on the tour.
Andy Murray will try to become the first British man in almost 75 years to win a Grand Slam singles title when he plays 2008 champion Novak Djokovic in the men's final Sunday.
