PICTURES

Tennis: Li Na sprints into Australian Open semi-finals

Li Na of China returns to Flavia Pennetta of Italy during their women's singles match on day nine of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 21, 2014.  -- PHOTO: AFP
Li Na of China returns to Flavia Pennetta of Italy during their women's singles match on day nine of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 21, 2014.  -- PHOTO: AFP
 Li Na of China hits a return to Flavia Pennetta of Italy during their women's quarter-final tennis match at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne Jan 21, 2014.  -- PHOTO: REUTERS
China's Li Na serves during her women's singles match against Italy's Flavia Pennetta on day nine at the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 21, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
China's Li Na (right) shakes hands as she celebrates after victory in her women's singles match against Italy's Flavia Pennetta on day nine at the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 21, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Flavia Pennetta of Italy serves to Li Na of China during their women's quarter-final tennis match at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne Jan 21, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
China's Li Na celebrates after victory in her women's singles match against Italy's Flavia Pennetta on day nine at the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 21, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

MELBOURNE (REUTERS) - China's Li Na wasted little time in advancing to her fourth Australian Open semi-final with a seemingly effortless 6-2 6-2 demolition of Flavia Pennetta on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old, who has reached two of the last three finals at Melbourne Park, blasted the 28th-seeded Italian off the court in 66 minutes with a strong first serve and barrage of powerful ground strokes.

Pennetta's service game also fell apart, winning 25 of 54 points on her own serve in the entire match, which allowed Li to jump out to a 5-0 lead in the first set and 4-0 in the second.

Li clinched victory with a forehand winner to set up a semi-final against either 14th seed Ana Ivanovic or Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, seeded 30th.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.