Serena Williams escapes defeat, while Venus falls to Li Na

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Wilson Blade 9

The second pair of quarterfinals saw defending champion Serena Williams surviving a tough contest against Victoria Azarenka, while Serena’s sister Venus got upset by Li Na, the second player from China in this year’s Australian Open semifinals.

The four-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams was on the brink of defeat after losing the first set and trailing 4-0 in the second. Serena’s trademark comeback abilities are always by her side, especially at Grand Slams, and this time the American top seed resorted to them again to eventually beat Victoria Azarenka 4-6 7-6(4) 6-2.  The 11-time Grand Slam champion has won three Grand Slam titles saving match points on the way, two of the times at the Australian Open.

In the earlier quarterfinal, Venus Williams lost to Li Na 2-6 7-6(4) 7-5, and the Chinese advanced to her first Grand Slam semifinal, joining compatriot Zheng Jie in the elite four. Venus was two points away from winning the match in the second set, but threw away a match-winning lead. Li had saved two match points in her third-round victory over Agnes Szavay and has now progressed further than ever in a major event.

The other semifinal will feature Justine Henin and Zheng Jie. What was once science fiction has become reality, as now we have a possibility of an all-Chinese final.

9 COMMENTS

  1. And yet another surprise. It seems Venus just can’t make it past quarters in the AO. If Li makes it through to the final, she doesn’t even have to win, she’s going to be a star already. But anyway, Justine all the way to the trophy. Allez, Juju!

  2. I don’t see an all Chinese final. It is Lina’s first semis in the Grand Stage, and Serena will be looking for avenge her sister’s loss. I’ll be rooting for Jie she might have a chance, but Justine will win it.

  3. I had the wrong girl, it was Li Na who put a fight and Jie was just there, like a bump on a log. It would be nice to see one of them win a slam, I don’t think both Li and Jie have many chances left.

  4. Nevertheless, I like the slow introduction of China as a tennis force, don’t know why, I just find it exciting. 😀

  5. Bróna, I find it exciting to witness how the Chinese are slowly but surely becoming the best in everything, or at least very good, even in the things that they were never famous for.

  6. Na Li tried but her best was not good enough to beat a hobbled Serena and the h2h is 4-1 and growing…that solo win looks flukish.

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