Li downed by French youngster in Paris first round

Li Na of China returns a forehand to Kristina Mladenovic of France during their women's singles match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris May 27, 2014. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

PARIS (Reuters) - Australian Open champion Li Na, of China, was knocked out of the French Open in the first round when she suffered an embarrassing 7-5 3-6 6-1 defeat by France's Kristina Mladenovic on Tuesday.

Second seed Li, who won at Roland Garros in 2011, looked impotent on court Suzanne Lenglen on another chilly day in Paris, following men's Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka to the Roland Garros exit door.