Britain's Andy Murray faced down his Grand Slam nemesis Roger Federer in an electrifying five-set thriller to reach the Australian Open final on Friday night.
Victoria Azarenka reached her first grand slam final with a 6-4 1-6 6-3 victory over defending champion Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open on Thursday.
Li squandered four match points in the second-set tiebreak before crumbling in the third to lose her fourth-round battle with Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open.
With all four Chinese women knocked out of the main draw at the Australian Open, the lone remaining Asian became Japan's top player, Kei Nishikori.
Li Na and Peng Shuai's early exit from the Australian Open will effect its television penetration in China this year, but organisers are confident their long-term Asian strategy can offset the effects.
Juan Martin Del Potro caused no trouble to Roger Federer's 1000th professional match and the Swiss won his 31th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals here on Tuesday to reach the semifinals at 2012 Australian Open.
Caroline Wozniacki was dumped out of the quarter-finals of the Australian Open by Kim Clijsters on Tuesday and will lose her world number one position when new rankings are released next week.
China's Zheng Jie lost to Italian Sara Errani 2-6, 1-6 in the fourth round at the 2012 Australian Open here Monday.
Kim Clijsters was courage personified as the defending champion shook off a painful ankle injury and saved four match points to overhaul China's Li Na 4-6 7-6 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Sunday.
World number six Li Na made into the fourth round at the Australian Open on Friday.
Serena Williams beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of Czech Republic 6-0, 6-4 to finish off her second-round match at the Australian Open here on Thursday and her 500th career win, while Chinese Zheng Jie advanced to the next round of both women's singles and double event in four hours.
Russia's golden girl Maria Sharapova spent only 64 minutes disposing of an American qualifier to reach the third round of the Australian before setting her mind on a life-long goal to win a medal for Russia at the Olympics.
Rafael Nadal sailed on in the Australian Open, winning in straight sets over Tommy Haas and happy with the improvement in his injured right knee as he reached the third round on Wednesday.
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