Li victory saves Wozniacki's number one ranking

Jan 12, 2012, 7:20 GMT

Sydney - Li Na kept a clean match slate this season as the Chinese fourth seed beat Petra Kvitova 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a Sydney International semi-final that would keep Caroline Wozniacki at the top WTA ranking.

The comeback win from the reigning French Open winner meant that Wimbledon champion Kvitova cannot take over the number one spot, which she would have only been able to accomplish with a Sydney title.

Her loss came less than 24 hours after top seed Wozniacki was put out by best friend Agnieszka Radwanska in their quarter-final.

Wozniacki was treated for a left wrist injury in that contest, but a scan Thursday show no major damage as the Dane headed for Melbourne and Monday's start of the Australian Open.

Kvitova's form fell off after she dominated the first set with Li moving through into a match against either third seed Victoria Azarenka or Radwanska.

Australian Open finalist Li, now 7-0 in 2012, won the Sydney title a year ago.

In the men's quarter-finals, Denis Istomin upset third seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) while Finland's Jarkko Nieminen beat American Bobby Reynolds 6-3, 6-3 in a battle of qualifiers.

Top seed Juan Del Potro of Argentina was aiming for the semis against 2010 champion Marcos Baghdatis.

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