After Zheng Jie, Li Na followed her compatriot's route to engrave China's tennis on the Australian Open history by doubling the number of Chinese semifinalists at the season-open Grand Slam tournament.

Li upset seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams of America 2-6 7-6 7-5 in a three-set thriller on Wednesday after Zheng sent Russian Maria Kirilenko away 6-1 6-3 one day earlier during the quarterfinal games.

China's Li Na reacts celebrates her quarter-final win over Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 27, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

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