Li secures quarter-final place with victory over Kerber

Li Na cruised to a straight-sets victory over Angelique Kerber in the third round of the Cincinnati Open on Thursday.

Nothing could separate both players after eight games played, but the world number five broke her German counterpart in the ninth before holding serve to record a 6-4 win the opening set.

The Chinese then sailed into a 5-1 advantage and, despite a spirited comeback from her opponent, booked her place in the quarter-finals by closing out the second set by the same scoreline.

The 31-year-old is now poised for a last-eight clash with Agnieszka Radwanska, who is ranked one place above Li.