China's Li Na becomes first Chinese to reach French Open final after beating Maria Sharapova of Russia.
China's Li Na reacts as she plays Russia's Maria Sharapova during their semifinal match of the
French Open tennis tournament, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday, June 2, 2011. [Photo: CFP]
China's top player Li Na continued her history making journey at the French Open, beating Maria Sharapova of Russia 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday to roar into the women's singles final.
Li, 29, became the first Chinese woman to make the final of the French Open. She had already achieved a Chinese players' best performance at the French Open on two occasions as the first Chinese to reach the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Thursday's final berth ensured Li Na, the number six seed, will rise to at least number five in the WTA rankings.
"Of course I'm excited, but not as excited as I did in Melbourne," said Li, who stunned the world as the first Chinese woman to reach Grand Slam singles final at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Li Na had superior pace and used a series of sharp-angled strokes to hammer her opponent into submission. Her sideline-oriented attacks broke Sharapova's defense repeatedly.
"She certainly played a lot better than I did and a lot more solid, and, you know, she played the crucial points better," commented the 24-year-old Russian who has won each of the three other Grand Slam titles.
Li Na and Sharapova had met seven times in WTA events before the semi-final. Sharapova had won the first five but Li Na had taken the latest two. However, Li didn't think her third consecutive win against the Russian ace came easily.
"I don't think it's easy. Every time against Maria is tough. She always fights for every point," said Li. "So even I had the match point, I didn't know if I can win or not, because she never gives up.
"I just want to prove a little bit for China tennis," said the Chinese number one. "I'm sure they broadcasted the match live in China, so maybe many children who watched the match would think that one day they can do the same or even better."
Li's final battle will be against the defending champion Francesca Schiavone. The Italian ousted Li in the third round at last year's French Open, but Li appeared confident ahead of the clash on Saturday.
"Melbourne is first time to the final, you didn't have any experience before. So you didn't know what happened, what I should do in the final," said Li. "But this time is second time to the final. Of course, you know what you should do. I know it's different surface, but you have played six matches already."
Li will rise to world number four in the WTA rankings should she clinch her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
