Clijsters surges into Melbourne semifinals

Kim Clijsters continued her Australian Open title defence with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) quarterfinal win over Caroline Wozniacki that will cost the Danish player the No. 1 ranking.

The four-time major winner will next play third-seeded Victoria Azarenka, who had a 6-7 (0), 6-0, 6-2 win over No. 8 Agnieszka Radwanska earlier Tuesday to move in the Grand Slam semifinals for the second time.

Azarenka is one of three players, who can overhaul Wozniacki, who needed to reach the semifinals to retain the top ranking.

Clijsters has had a rollercoaster ride into the Australian Open semis for the seventh time after spraining her ankle and having to save four match points in a fourth round win over Li Na.