The 29-year-old, ranked seventh in the world, made up for defeat in January's Australian Open final by beating the Italian fifth seed 6-4 7-6 (7-0).
Dominant on serve and consistently threatening from the baseline, Li overcame a late wobble to take away Schiavone's title in one hour and 48 minutes.
"When I was a young player I wanted to be in a Grand Slam final," said Li. "But today, some people say I'm getting old - so the old woman had the dream come true. Not easy."
The pair had met four times previously, with two wins apiece and Schiavone winning the last on her way to the title at Roland Garros last year, making her the slight favourite in many people's eyes.
Li had never been a fan of clay in the past, whereas Schiavone's heavy topspin, vicious kick serve and sweeping single-handed backhand, has proved perfect for moving opponents out of position on the red dirt.
“Of course, I was nervous, but I didn’t want to show opponent. I was a little bit cheating,” Li said. “(When) I was a young player, I want be the Grand Slam champion. But today ... Someone saying I’m getting old. So, you know, the old woman like the dream come true. Not easy.”
Li’s path to the title, her first ever on the red clay, was not the result of a lucky break or a soft draw. In the last four rounds, Li defeated, in succession, No. 9 Petra Kvitova, No. 4 Victoria Azarenka, No. 7 Maria Sharapova and No. 5 Schiavone.
To many Chinese, "China's number one sister" is a maverick. She has a tattoo, has dyed her hair many different colors and has even been known to yell at her husband in public.
She cemented this rebellious reputation at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by telling her own fans to "shut up" when they got too vociferous in their support during every point she played against Russia's Dinara Safina. Unfortunately this reaction did not go down too well with her supporters. "It was a very bad experience," she told CNN. "Next time I will just ask them to be quiet!"
Tattoos are controversial for many Chinese and are often associated with bad behavior. But Li is not shy in showing off the rose which adorns her chest -- she told fans it is the symbol of her love for her husband.
Dominant on serve and consistently threatening from the baseline, Li overcame a late wobble to take away Schiavone's title in one hour and 48 minutes.
"When I was a young player I wanted to be in a Grand Slam final," said Li. "But today, some people say I'm getting old - so the old woman had the dream come true. Not easy."
The pair had met four times previously, with two wins apiece and Schiavone winning the last on her way to the title at Roland Garros last year, making her the slight favourite in many people's eyes.
Li had never been a fan of clay in the past, whereas Schiavone's heavy topspin, vicious kick serve and sweeping single-handed backhand, has proved perfect for moving opponents out of position on the red dirt.
“Of course, I was nervous, but I didn’t want to show opponent. I was a little bit cheating,” Li said. “(When) I was a young player, I want be the Grand Slam champion. But today ... Someone saying I’m getting old. So, you know, the old woman like the dream come true. Not easy.”
Li’s path to the title, her first ever on the red clay, was not the result of a lucky break or a soft draw. In the last four rounds, Li defeated, in succession, No. 9 Petra Kvitova, No. 4 Victoria Azarenka, No. 7 Maria Sharapova and No. 5 Schiavone.
To many Chinese, "China's number one sister" is a maverick. She has a tattoo, has dyed her hair many different colors and has even been known to yell at her husband in public.
She cemented this rebellious reputation at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by telling her own fans to "shut up" when they got too vociferous in their support during every point she played against Russia's Dinara Safina. Unfortunately this reaction did not go down too well with her supporters. "It was a very bad experience," she told CNN. "Next time I will just ask them to be quiet!"
Tattoos are controversial for many Chinese and are often associated with bad behavior. But Li is not shy in showing off the rose which adorns her chest -- she told fans it is the symbol of her love for her husband.
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