China's Li Na upset seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams in a three-set thriller on Wednesday to join compatriot Zheng Jie in the semifinals of the Australian Open.

The 16th-seeded Li came from one set down to beat the American sixth seed 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5, reaching the semi stage of Grand Slam events for the first time in her career.

It is also the first time two Chinese players have made the last four of the same Grand Slam. The unseeded Zheng eased past Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-1, 6-3 in her fourth-round clash on Tuesday.

Li will next face either defending champion Serena Williams or Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2010)