Li Na of China returns a ball during the quarterfinals against Victoria Azarenka at French Open on June 1, 2011. [Source: Sina.com]

Li Na reached her first ever French Open semi-final with a comfortable 7-5, 6-2 win over Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday. An initially tight match swung in the Chinese sixth seed's favour at the end of the first set, and thereafter she never looked back.

Australian Open runner-up Li broke serve in the 12th game to pocket the opening set on court Philippe Chatrier.

She broke fourth seed Azarenka's serve again to open a 4-2 lead in the second and sealed the win on her opponent's serve on her third match point.

To reach the final, Li will have to defeat Maria Sharapova on Thursday. The seventh-seeded Russian advanced by routing Andrea Petkovic of Germany 6-0, 6-3.

Li looks to continue her success on clay.

"You have to slide a lot. Also you have to play a lot of topspin," Li said. "But after this time, I think all Asia people have more confident play in clay court."