By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

 

Dominika Cibulkova found her best game just in time to reach the Miami semifinals. Waiting for her is a familiar foe in Australian Open champion Li Na.

Photo Credit: Christopher Levy

Once again in as many weeks, Dominika Cibulkova will see Li Na staring across from her at the net this time though at the Sony Open in Miami.

Cibulkova squared off against Agnieszka Radwanska in the first women's quarterfinal held on Wednesday. Early on, errors from Cibulkova allowed Radwanska to secure the opening set 6-3.

Keeping her momentum going, Radwanska would display her crafty all-court game to build a 5-4 lead in the second set. Though Radwanska would hold three match points on Cibulkova's serve in the next game, her opponent rose to the challenge. After Radwanska missed a backhand return on her first match point, Cibulkova erased the next two with potent forehand winners.

Taking her game up another level, Cibulkova forced a tiebreak and then claimed the set 7-6(5).

Cibulkova would hold at love and then break Radwanska in a long game to open up at 2-0 lead in the final set. Though Radwanska would level things up, Cibulkova would keep her nose in front. A key break allowed Cibulkova to edge ahead for 5-3.

Saving three break points in the last game, Cibulkova closed out the tough 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 victory.

By virtue of reaching the Miami semifinals, Cibulkova, who reached the Australian Open finals, is projected to break into the WTA top ten for the first time in her career.

A relieved Cibulkova talked about finally achieving the coveted ranking.

"So today the match was really tough, and I'm happy about everything, you know. Before the match, even before the tournament, like they keep asking me, top ten and everything, and I just, you know, I just said, like, 'Okay, if I should be there, I will be there. If I should not be there, I will not be there.' So now I'm there. So finally it's over," Cibulkova said.

Li Fights Off Wozniacki to Reach Semis

No. 2 seed and Australian Open champion Li Na booked her spot into the Miami final four after fending off a challenge from Caroline Wozniacki in their quarterfinal held later in the evening.

In a match that featured multiple momentum swings, Li jumped out to a 4-1 in the opening set. But Wozniacki responded by winning several games in a row to go up 5-4. Li would then win the next three games to take the set 7-5.

Wozniacki threatened to force a decider when she climbed out to a 5-3 lead in the second set. But Li reeled her back in with strong play from both the baseline and the net. Once again, Li would get on a roll by winning the next four games to soon close out the 7-5, 7-5 win.

Li will now face Cibulkova for the third time this season that includes both the Australian Open final and a recent meeting at Indian Wells. Li will not dwell on the past and expects a very different match once again.

"Another tough match, for sure. Yeah. I think so many people think about maybe repeat for the final, but it's not, you know," Li said. "Miami is Miami, because Australia is over. Is past already. Just looking forward for tomorrow."