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Li Na’s Win In French Open

  • June 5th, 2011
  • Posted by EUEditor

li-na-reduced.jpgChina’s Li Na provided another dynamic performance, at Roland Garros, to win the French Open on Saturday, from the defending champion, Francesca Schiavone.

The popular challenger, 29, brought an enthusiastic crowd of backers, waving Chinese flags, to see the first victory in the event by a player from Asia – 6-4, 7-6.

After a disputed line call that went her way, Li won seven straight points to clinch the match.

She was runner up in the Australian Open in January, defeated by Kim Clijsters, see EUAustralia Online, “Sports Wrap”, 31.1.11.

Li Na plays as an independent on the circuit, with the acceptance of her national federation, which promoted and aided her rise to top professional status.

She can expect a huge welcome home in China.

Francesca Schiavone, 30, defeated Australia’s Samantha Stosur, who’d been more favoured to win, in the French Open last year. See EUAustralia Online, “Slam: Still not this time …”, 6.6.10.

The men’s competition in 2011 produced a show-down of top-seeded players in the last stages, with Sunday’s final being contested by Rafael Nadal  (Spain) and Roger Federer (Switzerland). The two last met at the Australian Open in 2009, won by Nadal in five sets.

Australian players did not get into the final rounds this time at Roland Garros.

Reference

Associated Press, NY, (video), “China’s Li Na Wins French Open Championship The Associated Press”, 5.6.11. http://news.google.be/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=French+open&btnmeta_news_search=Search+News, (5.6.11).

Danielle Rossingh, “Agassi, Courier Predict Nadal Will Beat Federer at French Open”, Bloomberg, NY, 5.6.11. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-04/agassi-courier-predict-nadal-will-beat-federer-at-french-open.html,(5.6.11).

Washington Post (AP), Washington, “Contentious call in French Open final leaves Schiavone in the dust as Li wins 1st major title”, 5.6.11. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/contentious-call-in-french-open-final-leaves-schiavone-in-the-dust-as-li-wins-1st-major-title/2011/06/04/AGtKY1IH_story.html, (5.6.11).

Picture  wikipedia