From Sportsnewsfirst.com
ECSTATIC sports fans in China heaped praise on tennis star Li Na after she made history with her French Open win.
At a Beijing sports bar popular with locals and expatriates, the crowd chanted "Go, go, go!" as the 29-year-old Li prepared for match point and erupted in cheers as the ball hit by runner-up Francesca Schiavone sailed long.
"This is China's moment in tennis history," said one male fan, Fu Wei.
Zhang Xuejiang, a 25-year-old woman who was drinking beers and watching the match with her boyfriend, told AFP: "I'm really happy. The whole bar is happy. This is the first Chinese person, the first Asian person to win a Grand Slam."
At another bar in the heart of the Chinese capital, fans who watched the match on a large-screen television set up outside for the occasion said the entire nation could revel in the success of the Wuhan native.
"I am so proud as a Chinese, this is so amazing!" Tao Shuai, an actor, told AFP.
"I have followed her these last few years. She is the best Chinese player but I could not imagine she could win this tournament. And now she will win more tournaments."
Jiang Qiudi, a female news executive for state-run China Central Television (CCTV), praised Li for her "very strong spirit" during the gritty straight-sets victory, saying: "I am very proud of Li Na."
At match's end, CCTV -- which broadcast the match live to tens of millions of viewers across the country of more than 1.3 billion -- plastered a graphic on the screen which read: "Li Na, we love you!"
On the Chinese Internet, home to more than 477 million users, popular portals Sina and Netease were quickly flooded with messages of congratulations for the country's first Grand Slam champion.
One sina.com user from the eastern province of Shandong wrote: "I was so excited that I cried!"
Back at the Beijing sports bar, Li's accomplishment seemed to have won over even 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.
Another female customer, 29-year-old Yuan Lin, said: "I'm elated. After tonight, I really like tennis."
ECSTATIC sports fans in China heaped praise on tennis star Li Na after she made history with her French Open win.
At a Beijing sports bar popular with locals and expatriates, the crowd chanted "Go, go, go!" as the 29-year-old Li prepared for match point and erupted in cheers as the ball hit by runner-up Francesca Schiavone sailed long.
"This is China's moment in tennis history," said one male fan, Fu Wei.
Zhang Xuejiang, a 25-year-old woman who was drinking beers and watching the match with her boyfriend, told AFP: "I'm really happy. The whole bar is happy. This is the first Chinese person, the first Asian person to win a Grand Slam."
At another bar in the heart of the Chinese capital, fans who watched the match on a large-screen television set up outside for the occasion said the entire nation could revel in the success of the Wuhan native.
"I am so proud as a Chinese, this is so amazing!" Tao Shuai, an actor, told AFP.
"I have followed her these last few years. She is the best Chinese player but I could not imagine she could win this tournament. And now she will win more tournaments."
Jiang Qiudi, a female news executive for state-run China Central Television (CCTV), praised Li for her "very strong spirit" during the gritty straight-sets victory, saying: "I am very proud of Li Na."
At match's end, CCTV -- which broadcast the match live to tens of millions of viewers across the country of more than 1.3 billion -- plastered a graphic on the screen which read: "Li Na, we love you!"
On the Chinese Internet, home to more than 477 million users, popular portals Sina and Netease were quickly flooded with messages of congratulations for the country's first Grand Slam champion.
One sina.com user from the eastern province of Shandong wrote: "I was so excited that I cried!"
Back at the Beijing sports bar, Li's accomplishment seemed to have won over even 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.
Another female customer, 29-year-old Yuan Lin, said: "I'm elated. After tonight, I really like tennis."
. Good to see Asians doing so well ...maybe we should have another Grand Slam as an Asian event , giving wild cards to many emerging Asian players and popularizing Tennis among all sections , not just the wealthy elite .
