French Open, Li Na | featured news

Defending champion Li Na needed three sets to stop American Christina McHale at the French Open on Saturday. The seventh-seeded Li, who last year became the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title, rallied to beat McHale 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

China's Li Na became the first Asian tennis player to win a grand slam singles title as she defeated defending champion Francesca Schiavone in the final of the French Open on Saturday.

Li Na beat Maria Sharapova, 6-4, 7-5, to become the first Chinese woman to advance to a final at Roland Garros.

Li Na and Maria Sharapova advanced with straight-set victories in the quarterfinals of the French Open and will meet on Thursday.

Australian Open runner-up Li Na reached the quarterfinals of the French Open with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Petra Kvitova on Monday and became the first Chinese player to advance that far at the clay-court Grand Slam. Li has reached the quarterfinals at all four major tournaments and will next play either Victoria Azarenka or Ekaterina Makarova.