Li Na defeated the defending champion Francesca Schiavone in the final, 6–4, 7–6(7–0) to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2011 French Open. It was her first major title, and she became the first Asian and Chinese player to win a major.

Francesca Schiavone is an Italian former tennis player. She turned professional in 1998 and won the 2010 French Open singles title, becoming the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam event in singles. She was also runner-up at the 2011 French Open. Her career-high ranking is world No. 4, achieved on 31 January 2011. To date, Schiavone is the last one-handed-backhand player to win a Grand Slam title on the women's tour.