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Li Na Defeats Maria Sharapova at French Open
Li Na Advances to Second Straight Grand Slam Final
Na, who was the first Chinese player ever to reach a Grand Slam final at this year's Australian Open, foiled Sharapova's attempt to achieve a career grand slam this year.
"I'm sure they showed the match ... in China, so ... maybe children, they saw the match, and they think that maybe one day, they can do the same -- or even better," said Na.
Sharapova struggled to serve during the match, recording 10 double faults, including the match point.
"She has a huge and big serve, so I was like, 'Please, double-fault. That way I can win the match,'" said Li. "I never believe myself I can be in final in French Open. I wish I can do even better on Saturday."
Sharapova said, "I had some chances in the first set on her serve, a couple of games that went deuce and had a couple of break points. I felt like I had a short ball and just didn't step in and then just made an unforced error.
"Then you kind of give your opponent confidence ... and then at times I didn't serve well and was rushing more than maybe I had to and maybe went for -- considering the conditions -- maybe I was just trying to go for too big of second serves, especially."
Na will face Italian player Francesca Schiavone, who became the first Italian women ever to win a Grand Slam singles title last year.
(Sources: Associated Press)
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