Schiavone bests Stosur to capture first Grand Slam title in Paris

The name Francesca is derived from the Latin Franciscus, meaning French. So perhaps it was only destiny as Francesca Schiavone, a longshot No.17 seed, would win her first career major at the French Open.

Playing the red hot Samantha Stosur in the final, Schiavone was solid in every way, giving away almost zero free points and taking control of the rallies in many ways - loopy topspin groundies, creativity at the net, crafty retrieving.

After breaking serve in the ninth game of the match and serving out the first set, Schiavone rallied from 4-1 down in the second set against the No.7-seeded Stosur, eventually playing a perfect tie-break to clinch one of the most unlikely Grand Slam title runs in the Open Era - and in tennis history, 64 76(2).

"I didn't prepare anything, because whenever I prepare something for the future, it doesn't happen," Schiavone told the crowd during the trophy presentation. "I've watched every final of this tournament and I know what the big champions say. So I want to thank everybody. I felt amazing today. I'm really, really happy."

Schiavone had a few words to add for Stosur, who, like herself, was in her first major final. "Congratulations Sam. I think you're a great, great person and a great athlete. You deserve to be here and you're young, so you'll do it too."

Schiavone, who turns 30 years old this month, is the second-oldest player in the Open Era to win their first Grand Slam title (Ann Jones was 30 years, 8 months when she won Wimbledon in 1969). But she doesn't see things as other players her age may: "I can still improve," she told Italian reporters earlier in the week. "I can still be more explosive. I can still put more spin on my shots. I can still hit deeper. I can still improve my serve. I'm just beginning."

Not only was Schiavone the first Italian woman ever to win a major, she was the first to reach a major final, and the first in the Open Era to reach a major semi.

Stosur had been on fire throughout the tournament and the last few months. She has had more clay court wins and more overall wins than anyone else this year, and had beaten three No.1s en route to the final: Justine Henin in the fourth round, Serena Williams in the quarters and Jelena Jankovic in the semis.


Saturday, June 5, 2010

Singles - Final
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 64 76(2)

Schiavone advances after Dementieva retires with injury; will face Stosur, who crushed Jankovic in straight sets, in the final of Paris

Her semifinal may not have ended the way she wanted, but Francesca Schiavone's dream run at the French Open kept going, and now she is the first Italian woman ever - Open Era, all-time - to play a major final.

On Court Philippe Chatrier, the No.17-seeded Schiavone took on No.5 seed Elena Dementieva in a contrasting match-up between crafty clay courter and aggressor. The rallies were tight as Dementieva hit strong and deep, with Schiavone using topspin, slice and angles. With the exception of one exchange of breaks mid-way through the set it was dead even through the tie-break, where Schiavone won six points in a row from 0-2 to reach quadruple set point, 6-2.

It was then where things started going down. After a long rally Dementieva hit a backhand drop volley winner, grimaced and appeared to be holding back tears. The Russian had been troubled in earlier matches with a calf injury - Schiavone won the breaker on the next point, went to her chair and was approached by Dementieva, who said she could play no more. 76(3) retired.

"I didn't really know what happened, but it was a very tough set. We both played well. I was just a little more consistent than her," Schiavone said to the press. "When I saw her, I thought, 'Do you need something?' I hope she's good now. I've spoken with her and I hope she can come back in Wimbledon."

Schiavone kissed the clay, like she did after beating Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals. "Two days ago," the Italian said when asked if she had ever kissed a court before. "This is just the second time. It was good. So good."

Schiavone, who was the first Italian in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, is now the first Italian ever to reach a Grand Slam final. She will also crack the Top 10 for the first time next week - just the second Italian ever to do so, after Flavia Pennetta (who will also be in next week's Top 10).

Dementieva had never before retired at a major: "I have a tear in my left calf, so it's very painful to even walk. I got it after my second match, and I've aggravated it during three matches now. It was just sharp pain... it was a bit too much. I couldn't move. It is a disappointing moment... I did everything I could."

Next up for Schiavone will be No.7 seed Sam Stosur, who steamrolled No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic in an hour in the second semifinal of the day, 61 62. Stosur, who had taken taken out Justine Henin and Serena Williams in the two previous rounds, is the first Australian woman to reach a Grand Slam final since the Aussie Open in late 1980; she is trying to become the first Australian woman to win a major since Evonne Goolagong at Wimbledon in 1980.

"Samantha played really well," said Jankovic, who had a 2-0 lead early in the second set before losing six straight games. "When I had chances, I made mistakes. It wasn't my game out there. I couldn't get a rhythm. Unfortunately, I lost - she was the better player. I'm angry. It's not easy to lose like this. But it's the way the game goes. I have to stay positive and I'll have another chance."


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 61 62
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 76(3) ret. (left calf strain)

Schiavone makes history with win over Wozniacki on Day 10 in Paris, will meet Dementieva in semis

Francesca Schiavone made history by beating Caroline Wozniacki at the French Open on Tuesday, becoming the first Italian woman in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal.

Schiavone, the No.17 seed, played perfect clay court tennis to oust the No.3-seeded Wozniacki, using high balls to keep Wozniacki back and bringing out the flat down-the-lines and crafty angles to finish the points. The Italian got herself more and more fired up as her plays became more aggressive, and by the end she was even serving and volleying - she finished the match with an unreturnable backhand volley then a glorious overhead winner on match point.

"In this moment I'm here but I'm not here," Schiavone said after her 62 63 quarterfinal victory. "I'm so happy. I was focused and didn't let my level drop. All the years I've worked are showing now. Maybe it's a little late for others, but it's better late than never. And the tournament is not finished yet."

Schiavone, who turns 30 in about three weeks, is also the first woman from Italy to reach the semifinals here in 56 years, since before the Open Era began. Silvia Lazzarano reached the semifinals on the terre battue way back in 1954.

Schiavone had been to Grand Slam quarterfinals before but had never gone further. She made it that far at the 2001 French Open (losing to Martina Hingis), the 2003 US Open (losing to Jennifer Capriati) and Wimbledon last year (losing to Elena Dementieva). She lost all those in straight sets.

It was also Schiavone's first ever win over a Top 5 player at a Grand Slam - and by virtue of her results this fortnight, she will crack the Top 10 on next week's rankings, just the second Italian woman ever to rank among that elite (Flavia Pennetta was the first - and Pennetta will also return to the Top 10 next week).

"She was playing better than me today. I was always one step behind and couldn't dominate the way I wanted to," Wozniacki said. "I knew she was playing well. You're not playing badly when you go that far in the tournament. She's a difficult player to play against because she mixes the balls up a lot."

Awaiting Schiavone in the semifinals will be No.5 seed Elena Dementieva, who rallied back to beat No.19 seed Nadia Petrova, 26 62 60. Going into the match the pair was tied 7-7 in their head-to-head with Dementieva winning the last four, and she extended that streak to five in a row. The Russian moved into her ninth career Grand Slam semifinal, with a 2-6 record in her previous eight (she reached finals at the French Open and US Open in 2004).


Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Singles - Quarterfinals
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (3) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 62 63
(5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (19) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 26 62 60