Friday, June 10, 2011

Asian challenge

China's Li Na becomes the first Asian -male or female - to win a Grand slam title. She defeated the defending champion Francesca Shiavone 6-4,7-6(7-0) to win the French Open. Early this year Li Na came close to winning this distinction in the Australian Open but Kim Clijsters dashed her hopes. It is remarkable that Li Na's top form has not affected by the change of surface - from hard-court to clay-court.
But is Li Na the first ethnic Chinese to win the Grand slam ? I doubt it. If my assumption is right, that distinction goes to Michael Chang of U.S who won the French Open way back in 1989.
Mean while, Sania Mirza came close to become the first Indian woman to win a major doubles title. Infact, she was having a great run this year in the doubles partnering Elena Vesnina of Russia. So their presence in the finals hardly came as a surprise. But in the final they were beaten by unseeded Czech pair Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka in straight sets 6-4,6-3. Anyway, best wishes for the rest of season, including Wimbledon and U.S Open.

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