Li Na won the 2011 French Open title, beating defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (0) on Saturday. The Chinese Li Na learned from her defeat to Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open final in January.
Li Na said “I had no experience. I was very nervous. For my second time in a final, I had the experience. I knew how to do it. And I had more self-confidence.”
China is celebrating the win. Li Na is now the first Chinese woman to win a WTA singles title, the first to enter the top 10 in the rankings, and the first to make it to a Grand Slam final.
With her win, Li Na could take the No. 4 spot in Monday’s new WTA rankings.