Li Na of China returns a ball in the semi-final of Sydney International against Petra Kvitova on Jan.12, 2012. [Source:WTA]

French Open champion Li Na will defend her Sydney International title after a lion-hearted display in today's first semi-final against world No. 2 Petra Kvitova.

Li, who reached the Australian Open final last year, displayed all the fighting qualities that delivered her a maiden grand slam in Paris last June. Today in Sydney she came from a set down and a break down to claim the semi-final 1-6 7-5 6-2.

Li will meet the winner of second semifinal between Belarus' Victoria Azarenka and Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the finals on Friday.

Li has not successfully defended any of her five WTA Tour titles, but has put the defence of her Sydney International crown this week ahead of her Australian Open preparations.

"Right now I'm still in Sydney, so I'm not thinking about Melbourne, you know. I have to focus on this tournament first," Li said.