In an earlier post, I got a few comments about referring to several veteran players on the WTA tour as “bridesmaids” since they have been to the “altar” of a Grand Slam final a few times without claiming the title. Many thought time had run out for the “bridesmaids” with the continued domination by the Williams sisters plus the return of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters to the stage. But this year’s French Open presents itself with probably the best and possibly last chance for either Elena Dementieva or Jelena Jankovic to put their names in the Grand Slam history books. Yet in their path stands a feisty Italian getting her own taste of Parisian glory and a quiet Australian who could add her name to the list of her country’s legendary champions.
Elena Dementieva vs. Francesca Schiavone.
On paper, this looks like a clear win for the Russian who is 6 and 4 versus the veteran Italian making her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance. The moment could get to Schiavone but I don’t think it will. Instead it will be up to Schiavone to use her guile and stylish one-handed backhand to disrupt Dementieva in the rallies much as she did versus the always steady Caroline Wozniacki. But Dementieva has more firepower than the Dane, especially on her backhand side and plus the fact Dementieva’s been serving aces on the clay could give the Russian the edge in a tight set. Schiavone will have to hope that her shotmaking flair can disrupt Dementieva through the match, and it might for awhile, but I see the sentimental favorite Dementieva showing her experience and moving through in three sets.
Jelena Jankovic vs. Sam Stosur.
If Stosur can keep from not being mentally fried after her epic win over Serena Williams today is the big question for tomorrow’s match. She faces Jankovic, who despite a test today in her quarterfinal match against Yaroslava Shvedova, has had the easiest route of any of the semifinalists to this point. Jankovic may have Stosur to thank for not having to face Justine Henin, whom Jankovic has never beaten, but she won’t like it when Stosur keeps pounding away with her bludgeoning forehand. Jankovic will need to use her trademark defense to stay in the rallies and hope Stosur misses. But even though Jankovic has put up some stellar results herself this season, this French Open feels like Stosur’s to win, and I don’t think she’s going to let this chance slip by. Stosur in three.
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