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After Zheng Jie, Li Na followed her compatriot's route to engrave China's tennis on the Australian Open history by doubling the number of Chinese semifinalists at the season-open Grand Slam tournament.
Li upset seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams of America 2-6 7-6 7-5 in a three-set thriller on Wednesday after Zheng sent Russian Maria Kirilenko away 6-1 6-3 one day earlier during the quarterfinal games.
China's Li Na reacts celebrates her quarter-final win over Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 27, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]
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The 16th-seeded Li came from one set down to beat the American sixth seed, reaching the semi stage of Grand Slam events for the first time in her career.
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It is also the first time two Chinese players have made the last four of the same Grand Slam.
Li will next face either defending champion Serena Williams or Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.