Roland Garros Rewind May 26, 2021

French Open flashback: 10 years since Li Na captured title

On the 10th anniversary of Li Na's historic title at 2011 Roland Garros, review her championship story in photos.

Ten years ago, Li Na of China made a historic run to the 2011 Roland Garros women’s singles title. At the age of 29, Li became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title. — 01 /10

Ten years ago, Li Na of China made a historic run to the 2011 Roland Garros women’s singles title. At the age of 29, Li became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title.

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Li came into Paris that year after a runner-up showing at the previous major, where she fell to Kim Clijsters in a three-set final at the 2011 Australian Open. She had also made the semifinals of her two prior clay-court events, in Madrid and Rome. — 02 /10

Li came into Paris that year after a runner-up showing at the previous major, where she fell to Kim Clijsters in a three-set final at the 2011 Australian Open. She had also made the semifinals of her two prior clay-court events, in Madrid and Rome.

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After reaching the second week of Roland Garros, the 6th-seeded Li had to defeat four fellow Top 10 players in a row. First, she came back from a set down to beat No.9 seed Petra Kvitova in the round of 16. — 03 /10

After reaching the second week of Roland Garros, the 6th-seeded Li had to defeat four fellow Top 10 players in a row. First, she came back from a set down to beat No.9 seed Petra Kvitova in the round of 16.

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Li followed that up with straight-set wins over No.4 seed Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals and No.7 seed Maria Sharapova in the semifinals, moving into her second Grand Slam final in a row. — 04 /10

Li followed that up with straight-set wins over No.4 seed Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals and No.7 seed Maria Sharapova in the semifinals, moving into her second Grand Slam final in a row.

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At last, Li stared down defending champion and No.5 seed Francesca Schiavone in the final. Schiavone was on a 13-match winning streak at Roland Garros. — 05 /10

At last, Li stared down defending champion and No.5 seed Francesca Schiavone in the final. Schiavone was on a 13-match winning streak at Roland Garros.

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But it was Li who came out the victor in their battle, sweeping through a flawless second-set tiebreak to prevail 6-4, 7-6(0) and earn her first major title. Li rose to a new career-high ranking of World No.4 following her win. — 06 /10

But it was Li who came out the victor in their battle, sweeping through a flawless second-set tiebreak to prevail 6-4, 7-6(0) and earn her first major title. Li rose to a new career-high ranking of World No.4 following her win.

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Reuters reported that Li's championship victory was viewed by over 100 million people in her home country, the most-watched sporting event of that year in China. — 07 /10

Reuters reported that Li's championship victory was viewed by over 100 million people in her home country, the most-watched sporting event of that year in China.

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I think more children, they saw the match, Li said one month later at Wimbledon. They think, 'Okay, maybe someday I can do the same or even better than her.' I think now the children have more confidence to play professional tennis. — 08 /10

"I think more children, they saw the match," Li said one month later at Wimbledon. "They think, 'Okay, maybe someday I can do the same or even better than her.' I think now the children have more confidence to play professional tennis."

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After the 2011 Roland Garros title, Li would reach two more Grand Slam finals, with a second runner-up showing at the 2013 Australian Open before winning the trophy Down Under in 2014. — 09 /10

After the 2011 Roland Garros title, Li would reach two more Grand Slam finals, with a second runner-up showing at the 2013 Australian Open before winning the trophy Down Under in 2014.

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Li hit a career-high ranking of World No.2 in 2014 before retiring from the sport later that year. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019. — 10 /10

Li hit a career-high ranking of World No.2 in 2014 before retiring from the sport later that year. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019.

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