Number five seed Li Na has advanced to the semi-finals of the US Open after defeating Russia's Ekaterina Makarova.

There was not much between the duo in the opening set as they exchanged breaks in an even contest. However, the 31-year-old's experience showed in the crucial moments as she took the first 6-4.

The number 24 seed rallied in the second and matched Li stroke for stroke, as both women struggled to hold their serve, being broken three times each as the set went to a tie break.

Makarova produced some excellent tennis to get herself back in the match as she clinched the tie-break 7-5, and took the second set 7-6.

However, the number five seed showed her class in the final set as she erased her mistakes on her serve, which proved to be crucial as she earned two breaks, to help her win the set 6-2, to secure the match to advance to the last four.