China get second bite at producing Grand Slam winner with Li

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will compete in what is sure to be a another epic encounter in Sunday’s French Open men’s final, but the women’s final looks set to be even closer.

Bookmakers are struggling to separate Na Li and Francesca Schiavone in the French Open betting with Li just edging the favouritism at 4/5 and Schiavone available at 1/1.

Li is competing in her second Grand Slam final of the year and after defeat in the Australian Open final to Kim Clijsters, China are still searching for their first ever Grand Slam winner.

In Schiavone, Li comes up against the reigning French Open champion and while the Italian has never looked at her best in this tournament, it’s surprising she is the underdog as she will take all the beating.

While this week Li has proven her ability on the clay courts, the Chinese star will freely admit that clay isn’t her favoured surface and the world number four has never won a clay court tournament.

Schiavone has been here before and a straight sets victory in last year’s French Open final over Sam Stosur would suggest all the value is in backing Schiavone today.

The two have a 2-2 head-to-head record but Schivone dominated Li on clay in last year’s French Open and while the betting suggests it will be tight, we fancy the Italian to claim consecutive French Open titles in straight sets.

All four of the matches between these two have been settled in straight sets and it’s Schiavone’s proven ability on clay that hands her the edge in today’s French Open final/

Schiavone is 9/4 to win 2-0 and it can be a comfortable win for the Italian who will be looking to repeat her 6-4, 6-2 victory from last year.