Paris, June 2: Defending champion Li Na needed three sets to reach the fourth round of the French Open on Saturday.
The seventh-seeded Li, who last year became the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title, held on to beat Christina McHale of the United States 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Li committed 44 unforced errors in the match, 20 more than her unseeded opponent.
The last woman to successfully defend her title at Roland Garros was Justine Henin, who won three straight from 2005-07.
