Li records historic Paris win

Tennis: Li Na became China's first-ever Grand Slam singles champion with a 6-4 7-6 (7/0) victory over Francesca Schiavone in the French Open final. With her forehand firing from the off, Li was a deserving winner on Court Philippe Chatrier as Schiavone lost her grip on the trophy she had won 12 months before.

The Italian launched a comeback in the second set, recovering from a break down to force a tie-break, but once in it she folded as Li claimed her slice of history.

Li's extra power had been tipped by many to be a key factor and that was the case as the match got under way.

Using her forehand to great effect, she was soon on top and gained the first break in the fifth game courtesy of her 10th winner of the match.

From there served out the set, with Schiavone unable to make much of an impression on her serve.

The first-set stats proved how well the Chinese had played - she got 72 per cent of his first serves in and when that delivery did find the target she won 16 out of 18 points.

With a combined age of 60 years and 79 days, it was the oldest Grand Slam singles final since Wimbledon 1998 when Jana Novotna played Natalie Tauziat, but the players seemed determined to put on a good show for the packed crowd and the second set saw competitiveness raised.

However, at first it looked as if Li would run away with things.

Schiavone lost her serve in the first game of the second set and when Li banged down an ace to save break point in the following game, a Chinese victory looked firmly on the cards.

Li had a point for 4-1 in game five but netted uncharacteristically on her favoured forehand.

That sparked the Schiavone comeback. She bravely saved another break point in the following game and then struck when Li's forehand went AWOL again when serving at 4-3.

A string of errors from the Chinese left Schiavone bouncing and she was jumping and skipping around the court as she moved ahead in the set for the first time.

With Li wobbling, she could easily have lost the set but the sixth seed dug in to force a tie-break, helped when a shot, initially called out, was deemed good when the umpire got down from her chair to inspect.

Schiavone was not happy and a point later they entered the tie-break.

Perhaps still fuming over that line call, the Italian was never at the races in the breaker, Li playing some sparkling tennis to race ahead.

She finished things off when Schivaone sent a backhand long, Li collapsing to the court in delight at her achievement.

Li will climb to world number four on Monday as a result of her win.