(Photo : Li Na)

Chinese tennis superstar Li Na has carved a new record in the U.S. Open history by becoming the first Chinese player to reach the tournament's semi-final.

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Li defeated Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows in New York. Li lost the second set of the match but managed to go point by point and eventually won the game.

The match, however, seemed to be one-sided in favor of Li because she had previously played Makarova for three times and won all of them. Li reached the semi-finals without losing a single set since the tournament started.

The Crowd Showered Li With Cheers

The Australian Open runner-up pumped her fists in a show of joy after Makarova missed a backhand long to cap the two-hour and 20-minute match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The crowd loved the 31-year-old Chinese player's performance that they showered her with cheers.

Li, who admitted having some ups and downs in her previous seasons, said she had more consistency this year. She said she is excited to be in the US Open semifinals for the first time.

"I am really proud of myself," Li said after defeating the 24th-seeded Russian.

Li vs. Williams in Semifinals

Getting the US Open title, however, will not be very easy for Li because she will be facing Serena Wiliams, the No. 1-ranked player in the world and defending champion at the US Open.

Williams, a 16-time Grand Slam winner, advanced to the semifinals after beating Spanish Tennis pro Suarez Navarro 6-0, 6-0. She will have to hurdle such a great player as Li in order to get into the finals for a shot at a fifth US Open crown.

Williams admitted that a match with Li will be going to be a tough one because the Chinese player has been playing some of the best tennis matches of her career.