Li Na came back from the brink of defeat to shock Venus Williams in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Defending champion Serena Williams kept alive her title hopes after a stunning comeback against Victoria Azarenka.
The Chinese star found herself trailing by a set and 5-3 in the second - with Williams seemingly on an unstoppable charge to the last four.
However Li had other ideas as she came storming back to seal a memorable 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.
The victory means the 16th seed joins compatriot Zheng Jie in the last four - the first time China has had two players in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam.
"It is good for both players and also good for Chinese tennis," Li said.
Williams looked set to follow sister Venus in falling at the quarter-final stages as Azarenka won the first set and stormed into a 4-0 lead.
However the top-seeded American dug deep to break the Belarusian twice to force the tiebreak before going on to clinch the victory 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
And Williams admitted she was shocked to have reached the semis having been on the brink of a straight sets defeat against the seventh seed
"I am surprised and I am just happy to still be here," she said. "I didn't expect to win when I was down 0-4.
"I was like 'well at least I am still in the doubles'.
"I was thinking if I lost today and lost doubles I could get a flight home on Friday."
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