Tennis: China's Li beats Pierce to make history

NEW YORK - Li Na became the first Chinese woman to reach the US Open tennis championships last 16 with a stunning 4-6 6-0 6-0 victory over 2005 runner-up Mary Pierce today.

Pierce looked set for victory when she took the first set but 24th seed Li won 12 consecutive games to set up a possible showdown with third seed Maria Sharapova.

Li struggled to cope with Pierce's power early on but grew in confidence as the match progressed and clinched victory with her 51st winner, ripping a forehand past the stranded Pierce.

Li, 24, became the first Chinese woman to reach the last eight of a Grand Slam event when she made the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in July.

- REUTERS