Maria Sharapova eases into last four

Maria Sharapova has overcome Li Na in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

After the first five games had gone against serve, the world number two managed to take control of the opening set by holding in game six with superb baseline-hitting, eventually taking the set 6-3.

The Russian, who had failed to claim a single set in her past four meetings against the Chinese, then cruised to victory with a love set in the second.

Last year's runner-up in Miami, Sharapova will now face either Caroline Wozniacki or Serena Williams in the last four.