China's tennis megastar Li Na carried the weight of a continent as the 6th seed took on defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy in the French Open singles final. She beat Schiavone 6-4, 7-6 to win the first Grand Slam title for China and Asia.

Li Na got off to a solid start, holding her serve, making it 2-all early in the opening set.

The Chinese later broke the Italian in the fifth game, jumping to a 3-2 lead.

Both players then held their serves, as Li took a 5-4 lead.

Schiavone was broken in the 10th game, as the Chinese star pulled away to close out the opening set 6-4.

Li carried her momentum in the second set, where she broke Schiavone in the opening game and went on to take a 2-0 cushion.

Li, who displayed a strong passion for victory, raced to a 3-1 lead.

But the Italian restored some composure and the 7th game was a tight contest. Schiavone stayed cool, and made it 4-3. The Italian then broke Li in the next game, and to tie the set at 4-all.

Li, who carried the hopes of the whole nation, brushed off nerves and held her serve tying the set at 5.

Schiavone uphanded momentarily for a 6-5 lead. But Li Na, continued to persevere, forcing a tiebreak after making it 6-all. In the tiebreak, the Italian lost her nerve as the Chinese was just several points away from the championship crown.

Li jumped to a 5-0 lead, and Schiavone never recovered. The Chinese, behind thunderous cheers from the crowd at Roland Garros, crushed Schiavone 7-0, taking the set and completing her victory in straight sets 6-4, 7-6.

For Li Na, the win takes her to a new level.

Li becomes the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam event, and the first Asian woman to do so. She is expected to rise to number four in the world when the new rankings are released.

(CNTV.cn June 5, 2011)