CINCINNATI, Ohio, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Former French Open winner Li Na beat American Venus Williams 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 on Saturday to reach the final of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters.

The ninth-seeded Chinese, the losing Montreal finalist last week, will vie the title with fifth seed Angelique Kerber of Germany or Czech fourth seed Petra Kvitova.

"I'm sorry for Venus. She had a back problem and she really couldn't serve," said Li after the game.

Li has lost three finals this year.