Defending champion Serena Williams (8/13 2010 Australian Open – Women’s Outright) admitted she had resigned herself to defeat before storming back to reach the semi-finals and shatter the Australian Open dream for Victoria Azarenka.

The top seed came from a set and 4-0 down to post a 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 win on the Rod Laver Arena to set up a last-four showdown with surprise package Li Na (16/1 2010 Australian Open – Women’s Outright) of China.

The big-hitting American, who won the title at Melbourne Park in 2003, revealed she was thinking of her flight home at her lowest point against Azarenka.

The match turned on its head towards the end of the second set when Williams, who said she was “shocked” and “surprised” to get through, rallied to win five games in a row.

“I didn’t expect to win when I was down 0-4,” said Williams.

“I was actually thinking ‘if I lose today and I lose in doubles I think I can catch a flight on Friday’. That’s not what a champion is supposed to think, but that’s what I was thinking.

‘I’m just happy to still be here.”

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