So that's the ladies singles final at the French Open over, and unfortunately for last year's champion Francesca Schiavone, she was unable to hold onto her title as she met her match (excuse the pun again!) in the Chinese No.1 Li Na.
Li Na like she did with Maria Sharapova the other day dominated the play right from the start, securing an early break in the 1st set, although Schiavone did respond well as she held her serve being a break down, but Li Na closed out the first set 6-4. However after securing another break early on in the 2nd set Li Na faced a fightback from Schiavone who broke her way back into the match at 4-4 and almost broke Li Na 6-5 to take the 2nd set, but Li Na held her nerve and took it to a tiebreak, where Francesca lost her way completely and Li Na sealed the championship with 7 match points, winning in 6-4, 7-6(0).
Overall it was actually a very good match and quite a worthy final, but it wasn't quite a classic but it was a very entertaining 2 set scrap, but it was a shame in a way Schiavone couldn't have pushed it to a deciding set. But nonetheless both players brought some high quality tennis to the match and it made for an enjoyable final. Li Na deserves full credit for her performance throughout the tournament, as she held her nerve and kept her composure even when under pressure, and for someone who doesn't like clay courts that much, she didn't half do alright!! I'm sure she has changed her attitude toward the red dirt now! I really admired Li Na's play today as she hit the ball so clean and her groundstrokes were impeccable, making it difficult for Schiavone to return most of the time. It was also great to see a player like Li Na who plays without making ridiculous grunting noises, like Francesca Schiavone's "WAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!" every time she hits the ball, but I must admit I quite like Schiavone's grunt as its totally unique from other players. I also loved the way Schiavone's fans chanted the White Stripes's "Seven Nation Army" song every time she hit a great shot or got back into the match, it was priceless.
Li Na also said after her last grand slam final defeat at the Australian Open she felt she had learned from her mistakes and maybe she could do better and she certainly did. Its a shame in a way Andy Murray can't take the same approach, but that's one thing I noticed that Li Na had and that is crucial in winning slams, she had a good first serve. That's also how Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open as he worked on his serve, its the key to winning and until then Andy might never win one. Francesca had the same problem as Andy today too, as her serve started to crumble badly, in fact throughout the WTA tour her serve was decidedly poor and today I think also cost her the match, well that and the amount of unforced errors she made.
But again Li Na was too good, she came out strong and despite a few wobbles near the end, she maintained her level and closed out the match to take the title. Its a great achievement for not only herself but also for China, who have never before now had a player win a grand slam title. So there you go, in fact Li Na and Schiavone were both 29 when they won their first grand slam, so just maybe Andy if you keep on playing until then, just maybe you might yet win one! That's also an attitude Elena Baltacha is thinking of too, she is 27 just now so she has another two years to reach her peak and just maybe she can do the same too. So with Wimbledon round the corner and one grand slam already under her belt, I think everyone should watch out for Li Na and come the US Open too, watch out Kim!! :-)
So that's the woman's French Open tennis come to an end. Tomorrow we'll see the men's final which will be hugely anticipated by the world over, as its the classic showdown between Roger and Rafa. Who's going to win???? Hard to call, possibly Rafa will edge it, but the way Roger has been playing it could go the other way. Its going to be fun to find out, and I think we are in for a real treat.
So the concluding part of the City of Lights saga will come tomorrow, once we know who's fallen flat on their back in the clay, then lifted that trophy.
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