Melbourne, Jan 25 (DPA) China’s Li Na swamped Danish fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 Monday to reach the third Grand Slam quarter-final of her career with the victory at the Australian Open.
The 17th-ranked Li handed US Open finalist Wozniacki a defeat as the Danish favourite was able to produce only three winners.
Li holds a 1-0 record over upcoming sixth-seeded opponent Venus Williams, the US player booking her spot with a comeback over Italy’s Francesca Schiavone 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Li beat Williams in the Beijing quarter-finals two years ago. The Chinese player reached the quarters at last year’s US Open and Wimbledon in 2006.
The winner came through on her second match point, firing 21 winners and breaking seven times.
Williams overcame a poor start against Schiavone, turning the tables to survive as the major began its concluding second week.
Williams had not lost a set to Schiavone in their last three meetings and stood 6-0 going onto court.
rounak