Sharapova crushes Li to reach Key Biscayne semis

Serena Williams of the US gestures after losing a point to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during their women's singles match at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, March 27, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Wozniacki sinks Serena for first time

The Dane enjoyed her first victory over Serena Williams, winning 6-4 6-4 at the Sony Ericsson Open on Tuesday to set up a semi-final clash with Maria Sharapova.

Wozniacki had lost all of her three previous meetings with the American but was on top early, breaking in the third game of the first set.

The Dane broke at the same stage of the second set, with a brilliant forehand winner down the line, and she looked set to run away with the match as she went 4-1 up with another break.

Williams, a five-times winner of this event, broke back to trail 5-3, but Wozniacki kept her focus at the end to wrap the game up.

"I knew I had to close it out, she wasn't going to give it me, she was determined," said the Dane, who played intelligent and patient tennis, and made the most of Williams's 36 unforced errors.

"I knew if I didn't take care of my serves it would be difficult."

Venus Williams will play fifth-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska on Wednesday, while top seed Victoria Azarenka faces France's Marion Bartoli.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebrates her win over Serena Williams of the US during their women's singles match at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, March 27, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]