Tennis: Li Na cruises into semi finals, Ivanovic dumped out

World number four Li Na swept aside Italian Flavia Pennetta in a one-sided, straight-sets demolition to move into the Australian Open semi-finals on Tuesday.

But not so good for Serb’s Ana Ivanovic, who was outplayed by teenager Eugenie Bouchard.

The 19-year-old Canadian, the WTA’s newcomer of the year in 2013, showed composure to come from a set down and beat the 14th-ranked Serb 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 and set up a last-four clash with Li Na.

The shock win ended the resurgence of former world number one Ivanovic, who came into the tournament on the back of winning the Auckland International and beat Serena Williams in the fourth round.

Li Na, the Chinese trailblazer was in dominant form as she crushed the 28th seed 6-2, 6-2 to set up a last-four clash with either Serbia’s Ana Ivonovic or up-and-coming Canadian teen Eugenie Bouchard.

Li is starting to peak at the right time, with the 67-minute mauling of Pennetta coming after she smashed Ekaterina Makarova in less than an hour on Sunday.

It followed a verbal volley by coach Carlos Rodriguez after her third-round endeavour, where she was taken to three sets and saved a match point against Lucie Safarova.

“After I saved match point (against Safarova) I have got better, I got a lot of confidence from that and I believe in myself,” said Li.

“I feel good, I always play well here and I hope I can take one more step this year.”

The two-time Melbourne finalist and 2011 French Open winner, who came into the tournament on the back of winning the Shenzhen Open, was in a different class to the Italian, who at 31 is one day older than the Chinese player.