Li Na will beat Sharapova if she believes, says coach

Feelings

Li became Asia's first Grand Slam singles champion at Roland Garros, but failed to get past the fourth round in the following six majors.

After being bundled of the second round at Wimbledon last year, Li called Rodriguez and asked him what she needed to do to get back into the big time.

The partnership bore immediate fruit, with Li advancing to the final at Montreal before winning at Cincinnati during the US hard-court season.

Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to compatriot Ekaterina Makarova during their women's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan 22, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Li Na of China serves to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during their women's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan 22, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Most of Rodriguez's wisdom has been employed to help Li between the ears because she already had the tools, built around a rapacious forehand, to upset the heavyweights, the coach said.

"I think she's a little bit more structured in her game, she's controlling a little bit much more with her emotions. But it's still a long way to go.

"Something that I bring to her is to try to understand her feelings and put words on it.

"When you're not used to communicate with a coach and it's very difficult to express yourself outside the court, imagine inside the court with almost 15,000 people inside the court watching you."

Li, a finalist at Melbourne Park in 2011, felt the old belief flooding back toward the end of the year and arrived in Australia at peak fitness after a Beijing boot-camp with Rodriguez in the off-season.

Apart from encouraging Li to use more topspin amidst her flat forehand bullets to mix up her game, Rodriguez has had the Chinese in training sessions simulating the conditions of marathon matches.

Rodriguez's involvement has also been good for Li's marriage, taking the pressure off her husband and hitting partner Jiang Shan.

When sitting in the player's box, Jiang often bore the brunt of his wife's on-court frustrations, but has been all smiles in Li's run to the semifinals.

Li Na's road to Australian Open semifinals:

Li Na reaches first Grand Slam semis after French Open

Li Na reaches Australian Open quarterfinals

Li Na reaches Australian Open last 16 in four straight years

Zheng Jie, Li Na reach third round at Australian Open

Li Na pines for Melbourne Park tormentor Clijsters

Strong-starting Li targets another first in Melbourne

Sharapova's road to Australian Open semifinals:

Brutal Sharapova causes total eclipse of Venus

Djokovic delivers, Sharapova ruthless on opening day