China's Li sets up Williams last eight clash

Miami, March 26 (IANS)

Li Na of China plays a backhand against Garbine Muguruza of Spain during their fourth round match at the Sony Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 25, 2013 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

China’s Li Na reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Masters by beating Spanish teenager Garbine Muguruza 7-6(6), 6-2.

The 31-year-old Li, playing in her first tournament since suffering from an ankle injury in January’s Australian Open final, will face World No.1 Serena Williams in the last eight, reports Xinhua.

Williams also struggled in her match Monday, coming from one set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Slovakia’s 13th seed Dominika Cibulkova.

Li, the 2011 French Open champion and two-time Australian Open finalist, made 39 unforced errors, including four double faults, and allowed her 19-year-old opponent to battle back to 5-5 in the first set having led 5-1.

Even at 6-1 in the tiebreak Li faltered as 73rd-ranked Muguruza fought back to 6-6. Li was more clinical in the second set breaking Muguruza two times for the victory.