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. (Photo: Xinhua)
World No. 7 Li Na from China on Monday fought back from one set down to defeat ninth-seeded Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, becoming the first Chinese player to reach the quarterfinals at the French Open.
Li, already the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final at 2011 Australian Open, continued to make breakthrough at the clay court at Roland Garros, beating hot favourite Kvitova, who had won three titles this season.
The 29-year-old Li will meet the winner between Russian Ekaterina Makarova and the fourth seed Victoria Azarenka from Belarus.
Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates after winning the quarterfinal against Andrea Petkovic of Germany at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris June 1, 2011. Sharapova won 2-0. (Photo: Xinhua)
Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic returns the ball during the 4th round match of Women's singles against Li Na of China in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, May 30, 2011. Petra Kvitova lost 1-2. (Photo: Xinhua)
