Li bids for Asian breakthrough in French Open

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]





PARIS: China's Li Na, willed on by millions of television viewers at home, will try to become the first Asian woman to win a grand slam singles title at the French Open on Saturday.

Her opponent, defending champion Francesca Schiavone, has ambitions of her own and the fifth-seeded Italian wants to be the sixth player to retain her title in Paris since tennis turned professional in 1968.

In a clash of styles, Schiavone will try to defy sixth seed Li's flat, powerful shots with her mix of top spin and slices that seem better adapted to the clay courts.

Some 50 million Chinese television viewers have already watched Li's performances in Paris, and she can expect Chinese sports minister Liu Peng to show up on court Philippe Chatrier on Saturday.

Schiavone will look to a picture of Monica Seles and Steffi Graf for her inspiration.

Schiavone could join Margaret Smith Court, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Justine Henin in retaining the Suzanne Lenglen Cup.

While no Asian-born player has yet won a grand slam, Michael Chang, the American son of Chinese-born parents, became a hero to Asian tennis fans in 1989 when he triumphed at Roland Garros at the age of 17 to become the youngest male grand slam singles champion.