French Open Francesca Schiavone first Italian to Grand Slam Final
History was made at the French Open 2010 as Francesca Schiavone emerged as the first woman from Italy to reach any Grand Slam Final after beating Russian Elena Dementiava, who quit after the first set of their semi-final match-up at Roland Garros.
The 29-year old Italian, seeded 17th in the tournament, grabbed the first set, 7-6 (3) before Dementiava shocked the crowd by unexpectedly withdrawing from the match. This all but gift wrapped Schiavone a place in the women’s finals, as she awaits the winner between Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Samantha Stosur of Australia.
Schiavone said she played more consistent than her Russian counterpart, and credited her focus on the game for her most significant triumph. “I don't know really what's happened, but it was a very tough set. I think both of us, we play good,” she said after the game.
According to Dementiava, she quit given the pain caused by her torn left calf. She added that the injury stuck her after her second match and was aggravated during the succeeding matches. “I was very close to stopping the match in my third round with Aleksandra (Wozniak), but I was able to win this one. Then I had a day off, so it was getting a little bit better because I didn't practice at all,” she said in the post-game interview.
Back and forth
The game was back and forth all set long, proving how evenly matched the protagonists were. Schiavone scored the first point with forehand winner after holding off a mid-court return from her Russian opponent. Dementiava however delivered the first break point of the match with a stunning backhand drop just behind the baseline. While Schiavone’s serve was inconsistent, she manages to hold on to a 2-1 first set lead. However, Dementiava answers a wonderful backhand shot with another backhand that nets her a breaking point. Making the first ace of the match, Dementiava grabs the advantage before tying up the game with another impressive service, making it 2-2.
Dementiava, however, commits two unforced errors that allow Schiavone to grab the game point and the Italian finishes strong to take the lead, 3-2. The sixth game was close, tied at 30-30. An over-arm forehand from Schiavone deuces the game, but Dementiava takes the advantage with a smashing return before a forehand return to the corner ties the game at 3-3.
Dementiava Leads
Dementiava appeared to be headed to a first set win when she eked out a squeaker in the seventh game. The odds were certainly on the Russian sides, since the winner of the seventh game in the tournament has gone on to win the set almost 90% of the time. Poor serves cost the Italian the game and apparently, the momentum.
But Schiavone showed her resilient by scoring her first double fault. After the second deuce, Schiavone ups the pressure on her opponent by giving her the fourth break point and leveling the score at 4-4.
Schiavone then dictated the tempo, leading up to the 11th game at 6-5 before Dementiava ties it up with her second ace to tie it up at 6-6.
Tie break
Going into the tie break, the game was still close until Dementiava’s long backhand lob flies out, giving the Italian a 3-2 lead. A big service from Schiavone gives her a four-point set lead at 6-2, and although Dementiava strikes back at 6-3, the Russian’s poor service costs her the first set, 7-6(3).
Minutes later, a gallant Dementiava retires from the match, sealing the win for Schiavone and a ticket to the finale at Roland Garros.
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