China's Li Na returns the ball to Jelena Jankovic of Serbia en route to a 6-3, 6-4 quarterfinal victory at the Qatar Open in Doha on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008
China's Li Na, who hopes to challenge for a medal at the Beijing Olympics, and Maria Sharapova, who'll be one of the favorites in the Chinese capital, both stormed into the Qatar Open semifinals on Friday.
Li got the better of her third top-20 victim in a row when she beat Jelena Jankovic, the world No. 4 from Serbia, 6-3, 6-4 to add to her wins over Anna Chakvetadze, the fifth-seeded Russian, and Shahar Peer, the 12th seeded Israeli.
The victories have carried Li to the semifinals of the US$2.5 million event in Doha, the first time she has reached this stage in a tier-one tournament. They also continued her great start to 2008 after taking six months off.
Asked why she was playing so well now, Li said: "Maybe because my husband just gave me a credit card - no I'm joking."
Li will now face Russian Vera Zvonereva while Sharapova, who brushed aside Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki 6-0, 6-1, will tackle Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland who knocked her out of the 2007 US Open.
Li's success hinged on making the first aggressive hit in the rally and striking the ball more powerfully than Jankovic, forcing her highly-rated opponent to contain and defend more often. However, in the second set it seemed that Jankovic might level things up.
Three times she had Li at 15-30 on her serve, but each time the world No. 29 from Wuhan, Hubei Province, responded with some of her best tennis.
Li created history when she became the first Chinese singles player to reach a grand slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon two years ago and the first to reach the world's top 20.
Australian Open champion Sharapova maintained her unbeaten record in 2008 as she marched into the semifinals in less than an hour.
Russia's Maria Sharapova serves to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during her 6-0, 6-1 victory on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008.
"It was a pretty solid performance apart from one game in the second set," said Sharapova. "I felt pretty comfortable from the beginning. I was aggressive. I served and returned pretty well and felt pretty good."
Sharapova now plays Radwanska, who reached her first WTA Tour semifinal with a three-hour 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over another 18-year-old, Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.
Zvonareva, an unseeded former top ten player, reached a semifinal for the second time this year, overcoming Sybille Bammer, the 15th seeded Austrian 6-2, 2-6, 0-6.
Li Na, Sharapova march on
Everton win over Manchester City 2-0
Manchester City's Micah Richards battles with Everton's Tim Cahill (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, northern England Feb. 25, 2008
Everton's Tim Cahill (L) tackles Manchester City's Darius Vassell during their English Premier League soccer match at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, northern England, Feb. 25, 2008
Everton's Joleon Lescott (L) scores past Manchester City's Joe Hart (C) during their English Premier League soccer match at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, northern England, Feb. 25, 2008.
Everton's Joleon Lescott (C) celebrates his goal against Manchester City with team mates Tim Cahill (R) and Leon Osman (L) during their English Premier League soccer match at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, northern England, Feb. 25, 2008
Clinton elaborates on U.S. foreign policy
U.S. democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N. Y.) delivers a speech at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 25, 2008. Clinton elaborated on her stand concerning the U.S. foreign policy in the speech.
U.S. democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N. Y.) delivers a speech at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 25, 2008.
U.S. democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N. Y.) delivers a speech at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 25, 2008
U.S. democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N. Y.) waits to give a speech at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 25, 2008
U.S. democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N. Y.) greets supporters after her speech at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 25, 2008
"People revolution" marked in the Philippines
Opponents of Philippine President Arroyo rally on the street in Manila, Feb. 25, 2008. Both supporters and opponents of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday marched forward in the streets to mark the 22nd anniversary of the country's iconic bloodless "people revolution" in modern history that toppled the unpopular ex-president Ferdinand Marcos
Supporters of Philippine President Arroyo rally on the street in Manila, Feb. 25, 2008.
Supporters of Philippine President Arroyo rally on the street in Manila, Feb. 25, 2008.
Opponents of Philippine President Arroyo rally on the street in Manila, Feb. 25, 2008.
Greenpeace protests Heathrow airport expansion
Protesters hold a banner on a passenger plane at Heathrow airport in this handout photograph received in London on Feb. 25, 2008. The British government's public consultation on the proposed expansion of Heathrow airport ends this week with business strongly in favour but environmental campaigners calling the plans absurd.
Protesters hold a banner on a passenger plane at Heathrow airport in this handout photograph received in London on Feb. 25, 2008. 
Protesters hold a banner on a passenger plane at Heathrow airport in this handout photograph received in London on Feb. 25, 2008
Protest signs against the expansion of Heathrow Airport and the proposed third runway are seen in the nearby village of Sipson, west London Feb. 20, 2008. 
A protest sign opposing the proposed third runway is seen in the nearby village of Sipson, west London, Feb. 20, 2008.
Early Scotland banknote to be auctioned
Lyon and Turnbull auctioneers specialist Elena Ratcheva holds a North of Scotland Banking Company banknote during a photocall in Edinburgh, Scotland Feb. 25, 2008. The banknote is part of a collection that was found in an Edinburgh house attic, and included early bank notes from The Union Bank of Scotland, The Caledonian Banking Company and The Royal Bank of Scotland.
Lyon and Turnbull auctioneers specialist Elena Ratcheva holds a North of Scotland Banking Company banknote during a photocall in Edinburgh, Scotland Feb. 25, 2008
Early voting for Russia's presidential election kicks off
A man casts his ballot as he takes part in early voting for Russia's presidential election in the Tundra region, near the village of Yar-Sale, located in the Yamal peninsula above the polar circle, some 2,150 km (1,336 miles) northeast of Moscow, Feb. 25, 2008. Early voting in Russia's presidential election has started in some of the vast country's remote regions, one week before Russians officially go to the polls on March 2. The Nenets are indigenous people in Russia's artic region north of the Urals
Election authorities walk to a village with ballot boxes for Russia's presidential election in the Tundra region, near the village of Yar-Sale, located in the Yamal peninsula above the polar circle, some 2,150 km (1,336 miles) northeast of Moscow, Feb. 25, 2008
A Nenets woman casts her ballot as she takes part in early voting in Russia's presidential election in the Tundra region, near the village of Yar-Sale, located in the Yamal peninsula above the polar circle, some 2,150 km (1,336 miles) northeast of Moscow, Feb. 25, 2008
High glamour on Oscar stage
Winner for Best Actor Daniel Day-Lewis poses backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008.
Winner for Best Supporting Actor Javier Bardem poses backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Winner for Best Actress Marion Cotillard poses backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Winner for Best Supporting Actress Tilda Swinton (R) and actor Alan Arkin pose backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Winners of Oscar awards pose backstage with their trophies during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008. From left to right are winners for Best Actor Daniel Day-Lewis, for Best Supporting Actress Tilda Swinton, for Best Actress Marion Cotillard and for Best Supporting Actor Javier Bardem
Directors of "No Country for Old Men" Joel (R) and Ethan Coen (L) pose backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008. The movie directed by Joel and Ethan Coen won four Oscar awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor .
Directors of "No Country for Old Men" Joel (R) and Ethan Coen (L) pose with director Martin Scorsese (C) who is the honorable guest presenting awards during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008. The movie directed by Joel and Ethan Coen won 4 Oscar awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.
Director Brad Bird (C) holds the trophy for best animated feature for "Ratatouille" as he stands between presenters Steve Carrell (L) and Anne Hathaway during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Winner for Best Animated Short Film "Peter & the Wolf" Suzie Templeton (L) and Hugh Welchman pose backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Stefan Ruzowitzky, director of Best Foreign-Language Film "The Counterfeiters" from Austria, poses backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Winner for Documentary Short "Freeheld" Cynthia Wade (L) and Vanessa Roth pose backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008.
Winner for Best Action Short Film "Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets)" Philippe Pollet-Villard poses backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Winners for best sound mixing (L-R) Kirk Francis, Scott Millan and David Parker pose backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008
Achievement for visual effects Oscar winners for "The Golden Compass" (L-R) Ben Morris, Bill Westenhofer, Trevor Wood and Michael Fink pose backstage with their trophies during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008.
Winner for Best Cinematography in "There Will Be Blood" Robert Elswit poses backstage during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008.
Stars shine at Oscars red carpet
Actress Nicole Kidman arrives with her husband, musician Keith Urban, at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood, February 24, 2008.
Actress Keri Russell arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood February 24, 2008.
Actress Jennifer Garner, who stars in "Juno", poses on the red carpet during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008.
Cate Blanchett, nominee for best actress for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and for best supporting actress for "I'm Not There", arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood, Feb. 24, 2008
Actress Kristin Chenoweth poses on the red carpet during the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 24, 2008.
Actress Jennifer Garner of the film "Juno," which is nominated for best motion picture of the year, poses for photographers on the red carpet at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood, February 24, 2008.
Actress and singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood Feb. 24, 2008.
Actress Kristin Chenoweth poses for photographers on the red carpet at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood, February 24, 2008.
Actress Anne Hathaway arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood, February 24, 2008.
Actress Jessica Alba poses on the red carpet as she arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood Feb. 24, 2008.
Olivia Thirlby, who stars in "Juno," arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood, February 24, 2008
Actress and entertainment television host Lisa Rinna walks along the red carpet arrival area at the 80th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood Feb. 24, 2008
Supermodel Heidi Klum arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood February 24, 2008.
Actress Sofia Vergara arrives at the 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Party to celebrate the Academy Awards, the Oscars, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, February 24, 2008.