For a set-and-a-half Clijsters looked decidedly out of sorts with her serve lacking rhythm and penetration and her groundstrokes uncharacteristically inaccurate.
But, using the experience she has garnered over the past decade, she changed tack and it worked a treat as Li Na started to lose focus - repeatedly screaming at a section of Chinese fans in the crowd - as her dreams of becoming the first Asian player to win a grand slam singles crown started to fade.
Clijsters claimed the second set and then ran through the decider to complete a 3-6 6-3 6-3 triumph to claim her fourth major and first outside New York.
"She did everything better than me in that first set," said Clijsters.
"Her groundstrokes were heavier, deeper, she served better and she returned better.
"She was playing really well, probably the best she has ever played against me.
"So I tried to do things differently to break her rhythm a little bit and make her think a little bit more.
"So I mixed it up a little bit, put some slices in, also hit a few higher shots and it made her make some unforced errors.
"And then she got a little bit aggravated and I just tried to hang in there."
Li's battle with her own supporters started midway through the second set, when she claimed they were trying to tell her what to do mid-point, and coincided with the swing in momentum.
Clijsters broke for 4-3 and again to level the match.
At the change-over Li complained for the third time to the umpire about crowd interference but it continued to bother her as she was broken to go 3-1 down.
Clijsters held twice to get to 5-2 and although Li tried to apply some pressure by making her serve it out it proved a formality.
Li was baffled as to why her supporters had felt it necessary to put her off.
"I don't know why after I got to the final I had so many Chinese coaches on the court," said Li.
"Of course they want me to win the match but they were trying to coach me how to play tennis."
There were no such issues for Clijsters whose victory was cheered to the rafters on Rod Laver Arena.
And she admitted she was overwhelmed when Li put the ball wide on match point.
"What gets you is that it's so intense until that last shot and then all of a sudden it's finished, then it's just a big relief," she added.
"The disbelief too that it's over and the fact I was able to turn it around is what makes it so special.
"I will enjoy this win, especially here in Australia.
"It's a country which I have always loved coming to and where I have always been well-received.
"I have been close to doing it for a few years so it's nice to finally get it this year."
Li can also take plenty of positives from what has been a wonderful fortnight for her in Melbourne.
"I thought I played some great tennis tonight," she said.
"But she played better than me.
"I am still happy with what I did today and proud of myself.
"But she had more experience than me because she has played in more finals.
"Hopefully if I can play in another final I will do better."