Sara Errani beats Li Na to reach Italian Open semi-finals

Sara Errani has recorded a three-set victory over Li Na to reach the semi-finals of the Italian Open.

The number 10 seed stormed into an early advantage against Li, and although the Chinese player fought back, the Italian finally secured a 6-3 4-6 6-2 triumph.

The opening set saw the number two seed struggle with her first serve, and that allowed Errani to capitalise with three breaks to take a one-set lead.

Li improved during the second as she began to find her range from the baseline, and three service breaks of her own were enough to see her take the Rome encounter into a decider.

However, her difficulties on serve returned in the third, and after she won just six points from her four service games, Errani took advantage to seal her place in the last four.