2011 Hopman Cup: Review Session 3 – Francesca Schiavone vs. Laura Robson
Session three of the 2011 Hopman Cup saw the fourth seeded Italian team, Francesca Schiavone and Potito Starace, play the second seeded team of Brits, Laura Robson and Andy Murray. These players along with twelve others are currently
competing at the first event of the International Tennis Federation circuit, the Hopman Cup (HC). A mixed team event, the HC is the ITF’s version of the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup where players compete under the banners of their respective countries.
Kicking off play for the day was world number seven Schiavone as she played world number 127 Robson in a singles match. Given the difference in their rankings, it was apparent that Schiavone would emerge as the victor.
Schiavone debuted at the HC in 2002, when she represented Italy partnering Davide Sanguinetti. She returned with Sanguinetti in 2005. This is her third participation at the event.
2010 was the first season that Schiavone finished in the Top 10, with two title wins. Defeating Roberta Vinci, Schiavone won her first title of the year at Barcelona. Seeded seventeenth at the event, Schiavone defeated favourite
Samantha Stosur in the Roland Garros, to win her first ever Grand Slam title. She put in two semis and three quarterfinals appearances for the season including her career best at the United States Open.
Almost half Schiavone’s age, Robson is appearing at the HC for her second year after debuting in 2010 alongside partner Murray. Although she lost her round robin matches, her victories with Murray in the mixed doubles over Kazakhstan
and Russia allowed the Brits to move into the finals where she won her first HC defeating Spaniard Maria Martinez. Spain, however, defeated Great Britain to become the 2010 champions.
Winning the toss Robson opened serve going 1-0 in the score. Winning games on service, the score was tied until 5-5. However, a well-placed return from Schiavone after two deuces in the eleventh game allowed her a 6-5 victory on
Robson’s serve. Winning the next game on her service, Schiavone was able to secure a 7-5 victory going 1-0 in the set score.
Breaking Robson’s service in the second set, Schiavone was able to rush into a 3-0 lead. Losing only three games on the next six, the Italian was able to clinch the second set 6-3. A 2-0 win over Robson took Italy into a 1-0 lead
over the higher seeded Brits.
Glad to be back at the event, Schiavone said, "To me it's fantastic to come back. I'm happy to be here. The people here are very nice and every time that I come up here they give me a lot. After playing here I always go to the
Australian Open with big energy, so I enjoy this tennis."
Schiavone next plays Bethanie Mattek-Sands on Wednesday when United States plays Italy while Robson plays Kristina Mladenovic on the same day for Great Britain versus France.
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