Li Na has secured a place in the final eight of the Italian Open after grabbing a 6-3 6-1 victory over Samantha Stosur.

Games went by the way of serve in the first set until Li clinched the first break of the match to take the edge in the contest.

However, Stosur immediately broke back to keep herself in contention for the set, but once again Li responded by stealing another break to keep the advantage.

A third break of serve was needed for Li to take a one-set lead in Rome, and she continued her dominance in the second by taking three break points at the first time of asking.

The 32-year-old cruised to a three-to-love lead and went on to take a further break, which allowed her to eventually serve for the match.