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Trailblazing Li books encounter with Serena
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Li Na became the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals of a US Open when she beat Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday in New York.
Li, seeded fifth at Flushing Meadows, reeled off the last four games to seal victory after two hours and 20 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium, raising both fists in the air as the New York crowd roared its approval.
“This is my first time in the semifinals so I’m very proud of myself,” said Li, already the only player from the world’s most populous country to win a grand slam singles title.
“After losing the second set, I was feeling a little bit sad ... so I just told myself to play point by point and try my best.”
Li will play world No. 1 Serena Williams, who was close to perfect on Tuesday as she thumped Carlos Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-0.
Li has only won one of nine career matches against Williams.
“Tough, tough opponent,” Li said. “But is (a) good challenge to play against her.”
The 31-year-old Li was not at her absolute best against the left-handed Makarova as both women struggled in gusty conditions.
Li had eight double faults and 42 unforced errors but was too street-wise for her opponent when it really mattered.
However, Li was not pleased with the way she played.
“I’m not so happy. Today is the first time I was feeling so nervous. (From the) start of the match until end of the match,” Li said.
“But I was happy because at least I was fighting a lot on the court. Even if I didn’t play my best tennis, still fought and still in the tournament.”
Li has been at the forefront of China’s rise in women’s tennis. Although Zheng Jie was the first Chinese player to reach a semifinal, making the last four at Wimbledon in 2008 and the Australian Open in 2010, Li has enjoyed greater success.
In 2011, she became the first Chinese to make a grand slam final when she finished runner-up in Australia.
A few months later, she won the French Open, and earlier this year she made another final Down Under.
Asked what it meant to her to be the first Chinese to reach a US Open semifinal, Li just smiled. “You know, I always try to be the first one.”
Meanwhile, Williams won 53 of 71 points and dominated her match. The first set took all of 19 minutes. The second lasted 33 minutes.
Williams was asked whether she’d describe her performance as flawless.
“Of course not,” the defending champion said. “I played good, though... I like to believe there is room for improvement.”
Williams has won four US Opens.
Earlier, Victoria Azarenka, the second seed, overcame Ana Ivanovic, the 13th seed, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to complete the women’s quarterfinals field.
Azarenka will play unseeded Daniela Hantuchova in the last eight.
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