China's Na Li progressed to the semi-finals of the AEGON Classic in Birmingham after a straight-sets victory over Stefanie Voegele. The fourth seed, the highest-ranked player in the last eight, comfortably won the first set 6-3. Although she was taken to a tie-break by the Swiss, who yesterday ended home interest by beating the Briton Naomi Cavaday, the world No 20 closed out the match in one hour 24 minutes. Li will now face the victor of the clash between the former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova and Belgium's Yania Wickmayer.
The two-time Edgbaston winner faces Wickmayer, who yesterday defeated 14th seed Roberta Vinci, later this afternoon. India's Sania Mirza also moved into the semi-finals with a 6-1 7-6 win against 16th seed Melinda Czink. The 22-year-old from Mumbai, who knocked out British No 1 Anne Keothavong on Wednesday, raced through the first set in 28 minutes. Her Hungarian opponent found some resistance in the second set, taking Mirza to a tie-break before losing. * PA Sport