Intro:

Australian Open champion Li Na advanced to the Madrid Open quarter finals, coming back from a set down, while two-time defending champion Serena Williams won more routinely on Thursday (8th May).

Script:

At the Madrid Open, Sloane Stephens was up against Li Na in the third round looking to produce an upset.

And the American started well, causing an out of sorts Li Na plenty of problems, the Chinese player giving up a number of unforced errors.

Stephens took full advantage of the Australian Open champion's poor form, as well as a toe problem to take the first set comfortably 6-2.

However, the world number two came out strongly in the second eventually pulling the game level as she closed it out 6-3.

There was no looking back for Na who went on to clinch the third set and the match 2-6 6-3 6-2, she will face either Maria Sharapova or Sam Stosur in the quarter finals.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams is also through to the quarter finals of the Madrid Open following a more straight forward victory over Carla Suarez Navarro.

The Spaniard, who triumphed at the Portugal Open a week ago, was unable to carry her form across to Madrid.

Williams, is in search of her 60th WTA career title, she hit 27 winners past her opponent as she secured seven break points on her way to a 650th career victory.

The 6-2 6-3 win means she will face Petra Kvitova in the quarter finals after she overcame Czech Lucie Safarova 6-4 6-3.