Top News

Li Na wins it all at Roland Garros

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-04 23:02

PARIS - History-making tennis legend Li Na notched the first-ever grand slam women's singles title for China and Asia, beating defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6(7/0) in the French Open final here on Saturday.

Li Na of China kisses the trophy after winning her women's final against Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 4, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

The triumph also gifted Li Na a great rise from No 7 to No 4 on WTA rankings.

Boasting far more direct winners than Schiavone, Li Na, 29, dominated the match with her powerful and sharp-angled strokes, breaking the Italian's third serve game in the fist set and the first in the second set.

Schiavone, 30, a dark horse in last year's French Open who had eliminated Li Na in the then third round, played all out today with all her weapons, such as high-bounced serves, great volleys and spinned balls.

Thanks to Li Na's unforced errors, Schiavone broke Li's fourth serve game to tie the score 4-4 in the second set.

From 5-5 to 6-6, the tough battle was interrupted several times by checking the ball was in or out. In the deciding game, Li Na stormed to victory with a 7-0.

In such a great final, Li Na deserved the win.