Serena Williams lost to China’s Li Na in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, and consequently Jelena Jankovic will take over her No.1 ranking next week.

American Williams was defeated in an intense three-setter 0-6 6-1 6-4.

Williams only took over the top spot when she beat Jankovic in the final of the US Open three weeks ago. Since Justine Henin retired in May, as much as four players have held the No.1 ranking: Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams – and we know Henin’s coach Carlos Rodriguez is not pleased with such a state of women’s tennis.

The world No.30 Li also beat Serena’s sister Venus Williams to reach the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics. (photo via Yahoo)

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Shortly after her sister Serena lost to Elena Dementieva, seventh seed Venus Williams was beaten by home favorite Li Na 7-5 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"Venus was the best player in the world, she has just won Wimbledon," said Li, the first Chinese player to enter the top 20 in the world rankings. "She has big serves that I can't receive but I told myself to calm down and play my best."

"Wow! You can't see this kind of crowd anywhere else. It helped me and pushed me a lot. This is a present I give to the Beijing Olympic Games but I have no time to celebrate. I have more matches to go."

In the semifinals world No.42 Li Na will face the winner of the match between Jelena Jankovic and Dinara Safina. The other semifinal is set and includes Russians Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonareva. (source: Reuters, photo: Getty Images)

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China’s highest-ranked player, world No.23 Na Li, missed Sydney, Dubai and Indian Wells because of a right knee injury, and now has withdrawn from the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

It’s a pity Li is injured and misses so many important tournaments again (she was sidelined by a serious rib injury for six months in 2007).

Li won the Gold Coast title on her return in 2008, reached the third round at the Australian Open, and made back-to-back semifinals at Antwerp and Doha. If only she could avoid injuries she would make it to the Top 10, or at least Top 15. Her highest career singles ranking was No.16. (via Women Who Serve, photo: Getty Images)

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Fifth seed Anna Chakvetadze lost 7-6(7) 6-4 in the second round of the $2.5 million Qatar Total Open to China's world No.29 Na Li.

This is Chakvetadze's second consecutive early exit from a tournament since winning the Open Gaz the France earlier this month. Chakvetadze was upset in the second round of the last week’s Proximus Diamond Games in Antwerp when she lost to Sweden’s Sofia Arvidsson. Read more »

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Amelie Mauresmo and Na Li have withdrawn from the Medibank International, the last major tuneup event before the Australian Open.

Mauresmo has re-injured her left thigh, while Li has a right knee injury.

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