Defending champion Victoria Azarenka overcame injury problems to end Sloane Stephens' gallant run and set up an Australian Open final with Li Na.

Azarenka left the court for almost 10 minutes to have medical treatment on what appeared to be a neck injury after Stephens had saved five match points.

But the Belarusian, who had hurt her left ankle earlier in the set, broke the American in the next game to win.

China's Li thrashed Maria Sharapova 6-2 6-2 in the first semi-final.

Second seed Sharapova had only dropped nine games in her previous five matches but struggled with her serve throughout.

Match stats

Li, 30, broke Sharapova three times to take the opening set, including in the first game, and then broke the Russian again in the fifth game of the second.

The sixth seed, the 2011 runner-up, maintained her form for a deserved win.

Li, the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam crown, took only 93 minutes to end Sharapova's hopes on a blisteringly hot day in Melbourne.

"Every time I'm back in Australia, I always feel something here," said the 2011 French Open winner. "I always play well here. Everyone can be nervous in a final, so I have to enjoy it. I'm looking forward to it."

Li, who appointed Argentine Carlos Rodriguez as her new coach last August, said her success was down to projecting a calmer face on court.

"Maybe before I was angry or something. Start of this year, I try to cool down on the court.," she said. "You don't have to show opponent what are you thinking. A little bit like Hollywood, but not real."

Sharapova, a four-time Grand Slam winner, hit six double faults and made 32 errors in a poor display but was quick to praise Li.

"I think she played a really great match," said the 25-year-old. "She was certainly much more aggressive than I was and dictating the play.

"I was always on the defence. When I had my opportunities and break points in games that went to deuce, I don't think any of them really went my way today."

Rod Laver Arena schedule

08:30 GMT: Novak Djokovic (Ser) [1] v (4) David Ferrer (Spa) [4]

Quotes of the day

Li Na very definitely makes the dinner plans for her team in Melbourne - "I always take them to Chinese food. Doesn't matter they want or didn't want. I say, 'Tonight we go Chinese restaurant.' They say, 'OK.' First two times, they was so excited. After third time, they say, 'OK....'"

The defeated Maria Sharapova doesn't quite know where is next for her. "That's a good question. I think it's Doha or maybe Dubai. I think Doha. I don't know. I'm so clueless."

Britwatch

Quad wheelchair singles: Andrew Lapthorne (GB) [(2] lost to David Wagner (USA) [1] 7-5 1-6 6-4

Women's wheelchair singles semi-finals: Lucy Shuker (GB) v Sharon Walraven (Ned) or Sabine Ellerbrock(Ger) [2]

Women's wheelchair doubles semi-finals: Lucy Shuker (GB) & Marjolein Buis (Ned) [2] v Sabine Ellerbrock (Ger) & Sharon Walraven (Ned)