For me, tonight's match was all about the mentality.

Li Na reacts during a news conference ahead of the start of the WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct 21, 2013. [Photo/CFP]

I tried to concentrate on my game instead of paying attention to Victoria (Azarenka)'s injury. (Azarenka suffered a back injury while serving 2-3, 15-40 in the first set) I didn't want to let changes on the court affect my rhythm and get on me.

Some of you may wonder why I should keep more focused when Victoria was hurt. That's because you'll never know when she is going to rebound. So you have to be focused and locked in on the match. It is even more difficult for me in some way.

So I am glad that this time I was able to keep my composure and get the win. I've iterated that this is my best year by virtue of the consistency.

But of course I feel sorry for Victoria. She seemed in a lot of pain and the squeal she yelled out at one point in the second set kind of caught me off guard. After the first set I thought she would probably retire. But after the chair umpire said “time, time, time” (in the second set) I was like okay, let's continue to play.

If I were her at that circumstance, feeling extremely unwell, I would probably choose to retire. After the match I asked her how she felt, she said she was fine and she wished me good luck for the rest of the tournament.

Many people tend to compare this match to the Australian Open final this year (which Li lost to Azarenka and a twisted ankle in a three-set thriller). But in fact I have put the loss behind me a long time ago. Now I just want to cross my fingers and wish neither of us injury-plagued in our next meeting.

Yep, finally reach the semifinals for the first time in the Championships, huh? I am going to play (Petra) Kvitova or (Angelique) Kerber, both of whom are lefties. But I won't think about tomorrow's match at this moment. I just bask in the glow of the triumph tonight.

I didn't know that I will become No 3 if I can make it to the final, Because I am still in the tournament, I don't care about how the ranking is going.

I have piled up more experience after making the Championships three years in a row. Maybe that is why Serena (Williams) and I, two of the oldest players, are in the semifinals. I won't say I am "happy" to not to play Serena in the semifinal – you always have to face her if you want to win the tournament – but, yeah, maybe better to take on her in the final, LOL.

Li Na: First match is never easy

Angelique Kerber: Just focus on my game

Jankovic: Just believe in yourself