U.S. Open: Li Na beats Makarova; Serena Williams could be next

NEW YORK -- Li Na, the women’s fifth seed, became the first U.S. Open women’s semifinalist with her 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 win over 24th-seeded Ekaterina Makarova of Russia.

Li would play Serena Williams in the semifinals if top-seeded Williams beats 18th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain tonight.

This will be Li’s first U.S. Open semifinal appearance. She said she will watch Williams’ match tonight while “lying down on the bed with some chips.” Li, 31, is also the first China-born woman to make it to the U.S. Open semifinals. Li had missed a month this season after spraining her ankle at the 2013 Australian Open, but her movement has seemed unimpeded in this tournament.

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