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)
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