Melbourne, Australia – Li Na ousted arguably the hottest player at the Australian Open in straight sets Tuesday, as the No. 6 seed from China upended fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the semifinals of the year's first major.
Li, a runner-up here two years ago, was one of 13 straight victims by Radwanska in the Sydney semis two weeks ago. Radwanska had not even lost a set in her unbeaten start to 2013, but the native of Poland was stymied by Li, 7-5, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena.
The 2011 French Open champ broke Radwanska's serve four times in the opening set. Radwanska, who earned three breaks herself, saved one set point at 5-6, but was wide left on the next point and hit the final ball of the 66-minute first set into the net.
Li, who has not lost a set this tournament, broke at love to take a 4-2 lead in the second set, and saved two break points leading 5-3 in the second before Radwanska was long on a match point.
Tuesday's other quarterfinal pits second-seeded Maria Sharapova against fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova.
Sharapova is the reigning Roland Garros champion who lost to Victoria Azarenka in last year's Aussie finale. She titled here in 2008, and was also a Melbourne runner-up in 2007.
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