Tennis

Li Na reaches quarterfinals at French Open

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-30 19:48

Li Na of China returns the ball to Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris May 30, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - 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.