China rejoiced Sunday after Li Na's French Open triumph brought Asia its first Grand Slam singles win, sparking confident predictions of a new dawn for the game in the world's most populous nation.
The Chinese blogosphere lit up in adulation and newspapers splashed Li's beaming face across their front pages after the 29-year-old from Wuhan beat defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) on Saturday.
"Li Na makes history!" the China Daily blared. "Her triumph is expected to provide a major push to a sport already rising fast in China."
Tennis in China is still largely the preserve of the well-heeled, but the sense of national pride was unmistakable at this latest declaration of the country's growing might on the world stage.
National broadcaster CCTV televised the match live to tens of millions of viewers across the country of more than 1.3 billion, and at the climax plastered a graphic on the screen which read: "Li Na, we love you!"
In an online survey by top Internet portal Sina.com, 44 percent of more than 100,000 respondents said they had cried at Li's victory, which the website described as the "pride of China and of Asia".
In a pulsating Beijing sports bar late Saturday, Li's accomplishment won over those who admitted they were less than tennis-savvy.
"I'm very happy. I'm Chinese, she is Chinese. I don't really understand the game but I am very happy," said 27-year-old Gao Lei.
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