History-making tennis legend Li Na notched the first-ever grand slam women's singles title for China and Asia, beating defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6(7/0) in the French Open final on Saturday.

The triumph also gifted Li Na a great rise from No. 7 to No. 4 on WTA rankings.

Boasting far more direct winners than Schiavone, Li Na, 29, dominated the match with her powerful and sharp-angled strokes, breaking the Italian's third serve game in the fist set and the first in the second set.

Schiavone, 30, a dark horse in last year's French Open who had eliminated Li Na in the then third round, played all out today with all her weapons, such as high-bounced serves, great volleys and spinned balls.

Thanks to Li Na's unforced errors, Schiavone broke Li's fourth serve game to tie the score 4-4 in the second set.

From 5-5 to 6-6, the tough battle was interrupted several times by checking the ball was in or out. In the deciding game, Li Na stormed to victory with a 7-0.

In such a great final, Li Na deserved the win.