Schiavone and Li Na to Meet for 2011 French Open Women’s Championship
Coming into today’s action at the 2011 French Open, there were only four women remaining in the singles draw … and now we have two, with Li Na of China and Francesca Schiavone of Italy advancing to the championship match.
The first to take Court Chatrier were Li Na and Maria Sharapova from Russia. The big Russian did what she does best, hitting screaming winners off the court. However, Li Na mustered up the energy to track down the majority of Sharapova’s heavy blows, forcing her into a bunch of unforced errors. Na was able to take the first set 6-4. Sharapova was down but not out and earned an early break in the second set as she led Na 3-1. Unable to keep momentum on her side, Sharapova faltered, giving Na the break back. At five games apiece, it was Li Na who took charge and the last two games, giving her the match 6-4, 7-5, along with her second consecutive Grand Slam finals appearance. In the Australian Open final, Li Na was defeated by Kim Clijsters of Belgium, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Na will look to rebound Saturday and capture her very first Grand Slam title.
Na will do battle with defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy who, for the second year in a row, is in the championship match at Roland Garros. Just last year, Schiavone topped Australia’s Sam Stosur, 6-4, 7-6(2) to capture her first ever Grand Slam title. Schiavone looked strong in her semifinal matchup with Marion Bartoli of France, beating the local favorite, 6-3, 6-3. The two have split their previous four matches, with Schiavone winning their most recent battle at last year’s French Open in the Round of 32. Schiavone won that match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, en route to her first ever Grand Slam title. Li Na, with her home country of China behind her, will look to become the first Chinese player to ever capture a Grand Slam singles championship.
