Rafa Nadal suffered a late blip against unseeded Czech Radek Stepanek before reaching the quarter-finals of the Queen's Club championships on Thursday after Andy Murray and Andy Roddick both cruised through.
Fan Wentao's mobile phone started ringing as soon as Li Na dispatched Francesca Schiavone at the French Open to become China's first Grand Slam tennis champion.
Andy Roddick's right shoulder survived a bruising examination by Spaniard Feliciano Lopez on Tuesday as the American opened his grasscourt season with a 7-6 6-7 6-4 victory in the second round at Queen's Club.
Cashing in by claiming a star as one of their own can boost tourism revenue and give regions bragging rights.
When Schiavone kissed the women's singles trophy at Roland Garros last year, becoming the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam title, Li Na said: "If she can do that, maybe I can do that too."
She made it yesterday. COMMENTS(61)
An inspiration for young Chinese
Li Na sets sight on Wimbledon
Federer managed to do what no one else has in quite some time: defeat Djokovic, who entered the day 41-0 in 2011 and unbeaten since losing to - guess who? - Federer in late November.
Defending champion Francesca Schiavone told the new generation of emerging stars to watch and learn when she and fellow veteran Li Na clash in Saturday's French Open final.
Li Na carried the hopes of her continent to become the first Asian player to make the French Open final.
As Maria Sharapova prepared to serve while only a point from defeat in the French Open semifinals, Li Na was thinking what any opponent would at that precise moment.
China's Li Na carried the hopes of a continent into the French Open final as she blew away Maria Sharapova's dream of a career grand slam to set up a Roland Garros showdown with holder Francesca Schiavone on Thursday.
Francesca Schiavone compared herself to a fine Italian wine improving with age after the defending champion ended French hopes of Roland Garros glory with a semi-final win over Marion Bartoli on Thursday.
China's tennis legend Li Na made history again at the French Open, beating Maria Sharapova of Russia 6-4, 7-5 here on Thursday to roar into the women's singles final.
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