DOHA, Dec 11: Chinese top seed Li Na downed the Asian Games defending champion to set-up a semi-final showdown against Indian star Sania Mirza who easily won her match on Monday.

The Chinese, the highest ranked player here, fought back from a set down against Uzbekistan's Iroda Tulyaganova to sneak through in the second and power her way to victory in the third, winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Li made history at Wimbledon earlier this year when she became the first Chinese woman to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam.

The player she has nominated as her biggest challenge here, teammate Zheng Jie, prevailed over Taiwan's Chan Yung Jan 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and now faces Aiko Nakamura for a place in the final.

On the men's side, South Korea's Lee Hyung Taik, favourite for gold, cruised into the semis, downing Ukbekistan's Denis Istomin 6-1, 7-5.

Lee next faces Cecil Mamiit from the Philippines who defeated Taiwan's Wang Yeu Tzuoo 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Thailand's Danai Udomchoke had to fight hard against South Korea's Jun Woong Sun before prevailing 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3 in their match. He and Japan's Go Soeda will battle it out for place in the finals after the fifth seed upset second seed, Taiwan's Lu Yen Hsun, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.—AFP