It is a fitting encounter between two WTA stars, which are taking one step at a time – on their road to redemption. Both Na Li and Serena Williams have been trying hard and looking more determined to redeem their position in the WTA Rankings – and a title win here in Rome can further bolster their positions. On Saturday, these two players will be up against each other for a place in the final of the 2012 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, a WTA Premier Event, being played here in Rome, Italy.

Last year, Li Na caught the attention of all those who follow tennis by becoming the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title. But, she failed to continue in the same manner and a few ill-timed injuries further halted her progress. On Friday, Li Na broke a quarterfinal jinx and beat Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets with a 6-1 7-6(4) scoreline to secure her berth in the semi-final. Li fell in the quarter-finals of her last four tournaments, at Indian Wells, Miami, Stuttgart and Madrid. So, this victory came as a big relief for her. On the other hand, Li’s opponent Serena Williams had to spend only 28 minutes on the court as her opponent Flavia Pennetta retired due to an injury, when Williams was leading with a 4-0 in the first set.

Seeded eighth in this tournament, Li has a good 18-7 win-loss record this season, but evidently she is far from her best. The Chinese tennis powerhouse is bidding for sixth career title and her first in the new season. After winning her quarter-final match, Li asserted, "It had never happened in my life before and I didn't really know what to do. I had many things going on off the tennis court during that time, and I think I lost focus on the court - I was concentrating, but just not focused.” She further added that "I'm feeling good this year though. And I will go back to Roland Garros not feeling too much pressure - yes I will be defending my title but I'm the champion and should feel great when I go there, and just enjoy the tennis."

Madrid WTA Event champion Serena Williams is currently ranked as World No. 6 in the Rankings. The American has been gradually regaining her devastating form that saw her reaching the top in the WTA Rankings. Last week, Williams simply outplayed World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the Madrid Final and sent across a strong message – that she is ready to snatch back her numero-uno position. The American has a stellar 23-2 win-loss record this season and she has already won two titles this year. Serena is gunning for 42nd career title.

In head-to-head, Serena apparently leads with 5-1. Last time they met in 2010 in Wimbledon, where Serena topped Li in straight sets. Well, we can expect the same on Saturday, unless Li produces something special.

X