Li Na of China reacts after winning her women's final against Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.
Li Na of China reacts after winning her women's final against Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Reuters

World number seven Li Na created history as she became the first Chinese and Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title after winning in straight-sets against holding champion Francesca Schiavone in the final at Roland Garros.

The 29-year-old, who was a defeated finalist in the Australian Open in January, beat the Italian fifth seed 6-4 7-6 (7-0).

Her cross-court forehand and powerful serves helped her to glory and despite stumbling in the second set, she cruised through the tie-breaker to wrap up matters within an hour and 48 minutes.

Schiavone was the slight favorite before the match, considering the fact that Li doesn't play her best tennis on clay. Also, though there were two wins each in the four previous matches between the two, Schiavone had won her last match against Li in the French Open final last year.

Afterwards, Schiavone admitted that the better player had won.

She played a really high level through one set and 2-1, 3-1, she was playing really well, said Schiavone. I think at the end we were really close and it could be the set for me or for her. But at the end, she won. I think she deserved this final.

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