China's top seed Li Na once again beat Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in a rematch of their Australian Open final, moving her to the semis of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California Thursday.

Li, who beat Cibulkova to win her second Grand Slam title in January, dropped her first set in four matches while improving to 15-1 this year.

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On Thursday, Li rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the second set to close to 5-4.

The top seed needed to rally from behind in the third set, after losing her opening service game, to record the 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory in two and a half hours.

While the Melbourne meeting of the two rivals ended well for Li, Thursday's quarterfinal match at the BNP Paribas Open proved to be tougher. 

"I think today she played more aggressive. I was feeling if I try to go back like a little bit she was trying to step in to hit the ball. Also I was feeling in the second set I think I dropped down a little bit and gave her more chances," said Li.

It is Cibulkova's first appearance in the Indian Wells quarter-finals.

"It was a pretty tough match today. I'm just disappointed a little bit that I didn't win, because I had my chances today," said Cibulkova.

Li next meets Italian Flavia Pennetta, who beat American Sloane Stephens 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the third set.

Li said her performance in this year's tournament could have been better.

"I think still a little bit of a problem because the level cannot stay the same level from beginning to the end. A little bit drop, up. At least I got information, so I will take it. I will improve my tennis to try better the next day," Li said.