Changzhou, Sep 14 (IANS): India's P.V. Sindhu played the match of her life to knock London Olympics gold winner Li Xuerui out of the China Masters Superseries badminton event here Friday and advance to the semifinals.

Sindhu, seen as another emerging world-class player after Saina Nehwal, held her nerve for a 21-19, 9-21, 21-16 win over the World No.2, who is also the reigning All England champion.

The 45-minute battle was an absorbing one with both players making a slew of unforced errors while going for their shots.

The way Xuerui, 21, fought back after losing the first game, it seemed she would run away with the match. But the 17-year-old Indian showed remarkable grit in the decider to record the biggest win of her career.

Sindhu ran to hug her coach Pullela Gopichand after Xuerui netted a back hand on the first match-point.

The Hyderabadi defeated an opponent who has been the best player of the year, winning four titles besides the Olympic gold at London.