Serena Williams beats China's Li Na at WTA Championships
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Serena Williams of the USA returns the ball to Li Na of China during their match at the round-robin stage of the WTA Championships tennis tournament in Istanbul, on October 24, 2012. -- PHOTO: AFP
ISTANBUL (AP) - Serena Williams proved on Wednesday at the WTA Championships that even when her serve is malfunctioning, she can still beat a top player.
Williams beat 2011 French Open champion Li Na of China 7-6 (1), 6-3 for her second win in round-robin matches to seal a semifinal spot at the tournament for the top eight players in the world.
In another Red Group encounter, top-ranked Victoria Azarenka saved two match points before rallying past Angelique Kleber of Germany 6-7 (11), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in her first match at the event.
Because that match went to three sets, Williams advanced to the last four.
