Francesca Schiavone vs. Alize Cornet: title-round preview – Internationaux de Strasbourg 2012
Second seeded Francesca Schiavone will square off against the local wildcard entrant, Alize Cornet, in the final showdown at the Internationaux de Strasbourg 2012 on Saturday. The Italian veteran crippled America’s Sloane Stephens with a breadstick while Cornet triumphed over her compatriot, Pauline Parmentier, in three sets to set-up this battle.
The Italian number one is on fire at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) International-level tournament. Before entering this event, she was on a terrible season as she lost in the opening or the second round of several tournaments. Above that, Schiavone was standing on a three match losing streak on dirt. However, she re-ignited her old spark and cruised into the final round without losing a set. The Italian crushed her entire opponents with a breadstick or a bagel and is currently at her best form.
Schiavone, currently ranked 14th in the WTA Premier Rankings, crushed the American teenager, Sloane Stephens, in straight sets in one and a half hour to secure the final spot. She amazingly warded off seven out of 10 breakpoints she faced and capitalised on six out of 11 break chances to pocket the match.
83rd ranked Cornet lost her opening set against her fellow citizen but spectacularly equalised the set scores with a breadstick. She then carried her rhythm and got the better of Parmentier in two hours and 31 minutes. The French blocked eight out of 13 breakpoints she came across and cashed in eight out of 11 break opportunities to earn the glory.
The local star rallied past Belarus’ Olga Govortsova and the Israeli number one, Shahar Peer, before setting up a date with fourth seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues in the final eight. Cornet stayed focused and carved out the victory after dominating in both sets’ tie-breaker.
Both stars are fighting each other for the ninth time but the former world number four, Schiavone, leads the head-to-head series by 7-1 against Cornet. However, the Italian is only 2-1 up on clay courts and she needs to maintain her intensity in order to grab her maiden WTA title this season.
"I know the crowd will support Alize in the final - she's French and she's a great player," The Italian commented about her next match-up. "But I will go out there and try my best, fight and enjoy the match, and I hope the public will support me for the final too!"
The former world number 11 on the other hand also re-gained her old momentum. Cornet is making her first WTA final since 2008 when she was at her best. Her impressive form four years ago saw her conquering the Internazionali D’Italia, a red clay court event held in Italy, in Rome. With the added factor of the crowd support, the Frenchwoman can upset Schiavone.
However, the 31-year-old had a smooth route to the final round and is most likely to dump Cornet in 7-5, 6-3 score line.
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