China's top player Li Na continued her breakthrough journey as she romped into the women's singles semifinal at the French Open by beating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 7-5, 6-2 here on Wednesday.

Li Na of China returns the ball to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their quarterfinal at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 1, 2011. Li won 2-0. (Xinhua/Xu Liang) 
Li Na, 29, who finished second at the Australia Open earlier this year, was broken early in both sets, but managed to fight back with her powerful and accurate forehand and backhand baseline strokes.

"Wow, I can play semi in Roland Garros. I never think about that before," said Li, who had become the first Chinese player to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros as she defeated ninth- seeded Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Monday.

Maria Sharapova of Russia serves during the quarterfinal against Andrea Petkovic of Germany at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris June 1, 2011. Sharapova won 2-0. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) 
"So many people think I'm not so good in clay court, but I think now they should change their minds a little bit."


The world No. 7 had become the first Chinese player to reach the quarterfinals and has the chance to leave more marks for China at the French Open.


Li's semifinal opponent is Russian ace Maria Sharapova after the seventh seed thrashed Germany's 15th seed Andrea Petkovic 6-0, 6-3.


Sharapova leads the head to head record 5-2 but Li won the latest two clashes between them.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet