ATP-WTA Eastbourne International: Elena Vesnina upsets Li Na

Elena Vesnina: Russian upset Li Na at Devonshire Park

China's second seed Li Na was sent crashing out of the ATP-WTA Eastbourne International on a muggy Thursday after a shock 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 defeat to Elena Vesnina.

The Russian secured her first career semi-final on grass thanks to her first victory over a top 10 opponent in two years.
Australian Open finalist Na was competing at the pre-Wimbledon event at on the slick grass at Devonshire park for the fifth time and had never advanced past the second round.
She has now lost three of her four matches against Vesnina, five years her junior at age 26.
"Today was a little bit of surprise, the way she's playing," said Na. "I think sometimes I can play well, but sometimes I think I lose concentration on the court. That's why the match was going like up, down a little bit."

"I'm very happy to win, It was a tough match, especially against Li Na. I like to play on grass, I feel it suits my game."
Elena Vesnina

Meanwhile, her opponent said: "I'm really excited about this. I'm very happy to win, It was a tough match, especially against Li Na. I like to play on grass, I feel it suits my game. I'm really enjoying the surface this week."
The world No 36 will next face the winner from compatriot and sixth seed Maria Kirilenko and Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.
Fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki won a two-hour struggle between former champions as she defeated Makarova 4-6 6-0 6-3, her sixth win without a loss over the Russian.
"She came out playing aggressively, playing well," said Wozniacki.
"But I found my game to make it a good match out there. She's strong on grass so this was a good win for me."
The Dane next faces 41st-ranked qualifier Jamie Hampton, who beat Lucie Safarova 3-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to become the first American to go this far at Eastbourne since Jennifer Capriati a decade ago.