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Li Na made sporting history at the French Open on Saturday when she became the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title.The 29-year-old from Wuhan defeated defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) to take her place in the pantheon of Chinese sports stars.Li clinched the watershed win with a superb 7-0 tie-break performance in the second set, falling onto her back in the red dirt when Schiavone hit long on match point.It was a thrilling display of shot-making from the Chinese player who has said she hopes that by winning a Grand Slam title she will act as a catalyst for the growth of tennis in her giant homeland.

Li Na

Nationality: CHN ()

Birthdate: February 26, 1982

Birthplace: Wuhan, China

Residence: Wuhan, China

Turned Pro: Pro (1999)

Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

For 30-year-old Schiavone it was a bitter pill to swallow one year after she upset the odds to become Italy’s first and so far only Grand Slam women’s champion.Read more
BIOGRAPHY

1. Husband and coach is Jiang Shan; married on January 27, 2006
2. Introduced to tennis at age 9 after playing badminton for two years
3. Baseliner who prefers hardcourts
4. Father is Sheng-Peng; mother is Yan-Ping; is an only child
5. Currently studying at Huazhong Institute of Science & Technology
6. Other sport interests are swimming, reading, visiting Beijing and shopping
7. Speaks Chinese, English
8. Favorite color is black; enjoys slow music and Korean movies
9. Admires Andre Agassi
10. Favorite tournament is Miami
11. Goal is to win a Grand Slam title.

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