Tuesday, September 5 2006 15:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Maria Sharapova reached the last eight at the US Open on Monday by defeating Li Na of China 6-4, 6-2.

The third seed will play Tatiana Golovin of France for a place in the semi-finals.

The 24-year-old Li came into the match as a rank outsider having failed to win a single set against the big Russian in three previous games.

But the former badminton player from Wuhan shot out of the blocks to break Sharapova in the second game for a 3-0 and then 4-1 lead.

But Sharapova began to find her range and a big forehand return on break point allowed her to get back on level pegging at 4-4.

That appeared to sap all the confidence out of the Chinese No.1 and she double-faulted to concede her serve for a second time.

Sharapova wrapped up the set at 6-4 having taken five games in a row.

The 2004 Wimbledon champion served up three double faults in the second game of the second set but still managed to level at 1-1.

Li held on grimly but she was broken again in the fifth game and there as no way back for her from that point as Sharapova switched on full power.

She was the last remaining Chinese player in the draw after six had started out.