Li Na looking to become highest ranked Asian tennis player in history

After becoming the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals of the season-ending WTA Championships, Li Na can become the first Asian to be ranked as high as third in the world if she beats Petra Kvitova on Saturday.

According to CNN, Li is currently fifth but has been as high as fourth, which has only been matched by Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm, back in the 1990s.

Victory over Kvitova will put her above Maria Sharapova, who is absent with a shoulder injury, and Agnieszka Radwanska, who lost all three matches this week, the report said.

She ensured there would be no repeat of her two previous disappointments in Istanbul as she defeated injury-hit world No. 2 Victoria Azarenka 6-2 6-1 to win her third successive match in the White Group, the report added.

Li said that it was not the best way to win the match as she saw that Azarenka was a little bit bothered with her back but she kept playing.