Li Na defeats the defending champion Francesa Schiavone to claim her first Grand Slam
Li Na of China has defeated the defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4 7-6 (7-0) in the women’s singles final of the French Open and has become the first female player of Asian descent and the first national of an Asian country to win a Grand Slam singles title.
After falling short in the Australian Open losing to Kim Clijsters in the final earlier this year, Li has stepped it up and now claims her first major title.
I wasn’t able to stay up to watch the full match (the beckoning lullaby of sleep was too embracing =P), but I did manage to watch the end of it and some of the highlights. It was a very good game, both Li and Schiavone were battling hard to win points and the game, but ultimately it was Li who came out on top.
This win by Li will have big implication for tennis in China. Tennis will most definitely grow bigger and bigger in China from here onwards. Pretty exciting for the Chinese as they are making a mark on the European dominated sport of Tennis.
"It's a dream come true."
Li will rise in the rankings and reach a career high ranking of World No. 4 after the French Open ends.
Wimbledon is just over 2 weeks away, so I will be looking forward to seeing how Li performs there. Pretty happy that Li won the French Open, I was hoping she’d win =).
Looking forward to the men’s singles final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal tonight (well tomorrow morning for me). Going to be an intense match. I’m rooting for Federer to win but Nadal is a master on clay courts, should be a very good game.
Li with her trophy a day after her win
12Dimension 