Li Na overcomes Stephens to make Madrid quarters

MADRID: World number two Li Na came from a set down to beat 16th seed Sloane Stephens 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Thursday.
The Australian Open champion had no answer to Stephens's power in the first set as she dropped her first set of the week.
However, she responded well to take the next two sets and set up a meeting with four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova or Australian Sam Stosur in the last eight.
"I think she was hitting the ball like pretty heavy. Normally the girls play flatter, but she was playing pretty heavy and it was my first time playing against her so she caused me problems," admitted Li.
"After the first set I had to tell myself to calm down. After that you can only look forward otherwise you won't find a way back."
Next up for Li is a meeting with four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova or Australian Sam Stosur in the last eight.