Taiwan hails French Open doubles winner Hsieh as a national inspiration

TAIPEI - Taiwanese tennis ace Hsieh Su-Wei was hailed as a national inspiration on Monday after securing her second Grand Slam title with victory in the women's doubles at the French Open.

Hsieh and her Chinese playing partner Peng Shuai followed up last year's heroics at Wimbledon by easily beating Italian duo Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-1 in the Roland Garros final.

It was Taiwan's first French Open title, with the island's president and numerous government ministers lining up to offer congratulations and heap praise on the 28-year-old Hsieh.

"We were very impressed when she clinched the Wimbledon title last year. Now this fresh championship further inspires and encourages us all," President Ma Ying-jeou was quoted by his spokeswoman as saying.