Li Na became the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals of a US Open when she beat Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Li, seeded fifth at Flushing Meadows, reeled off the last four games to seal victory after nearly two and a half hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium, raising both fists in the air as the New York crowd roared its approval.

"This is my first time in the semifinals so I'm very proud of myself," Li, already the only player from the world's most populous country to win a grand slam singles title, said in a courtside interview.

"After losing the second set, I was feeling a little bit sad... so I just told myself to play point by point and try my best."

Li's semifinal opponent will be either world number one Serena Williams or Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro after they were scheduled to meet in Tuesday's feature night match.

The 31-year-old Li was not at her absolute best against the left-handed Makarova as both women struggled in the gusting winds.

Li had eight double faults and 42 unforced errors but was too street-wise for her opponent when it really mattered.

Li has been at the forefront of China's rise in women's tennis. Although Zheng Jie was the first Chinese player to reach a semifinal, making the last four at Wimbledon in 2008 and the Australian Open in 2010, Li has enjoyed greater success.

In 2011, she became the first Chinese to make a grand slam final when she finished runner-up in Australia.

A few months later, she won the French Open, and earlier this year she made another final Down Under.

Ekaterina Makarova of Russia hits a return to Li Na of China at the US Open tennis championships in New York September 3, 2013 (Photo: Reuters)