It what probably turned out to be the quickest women’s semifinal day ever at the French Open, both Francesca Schiavone and Sam Stosur cruised, albeit in different ways, to their first ever Grand Slam final. Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic will rue what might have been, but both Stosur and Schiavone will be grateful for the quick wins in anticipation of meeting each other this Saturday. And although casual tennis fans might be scratching their heads as this unlikely pairing when the women’s final kicks off, what’s probably more intriguing is how both women with very different personalities found themselves at the biggest moment of their careers just at the right time.
It was just over a year ago that Stosur and Schiavone met in the first round of last year’s French Open which the Australian won 6-4, 6-2, Stosur, then just inside the top 30, went on to the semifinals surprising many since few thought an Australian would know how to play on the slow red clay. But the rest of the summer for Stosur was not as successful with early round losses at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open along with reaching several finals at smaller events but not being able to close out the wins. Some thought that despite all of Stosur’s immense physical gifts, her mental fragility and tendency to get tight at big moments would keep her hovering around the edges of the top tier of the game. But it wasn’t until the end of the year when Stosur finally won her first tour title in Osaka, beating Schiavone in the final, that it looked like the trend of not being known as a closer in big moments was at an end.
Though always a popular veteran on tour, Schiavone took a back seat interest wise in her native country when her fellow Fed Cup teammate Flavia Penneta briefly entered the top 10 last year. But Schiavone has made 2010 her breakthrough year with a title win in Barcelona earlier this spring and steadier results in bigger tournaments. Though possessing one of the few one-handed backhands in the women’s game, Schiavone’s real weapon is her never say die attitude on court and the emotions she spews out always ensures fans will get a great show. Schiavone hearkens back to other journeywomen such as Zina Garrison and Natalie Tauziat, players who all had breakthrough moments in Grand Slams at the apex of their careers. If Schiavone, who is 1-4 lifetime against Stosur, can seize the moment and when those others could not, will be the big question.
When asked about her run at this year’s French Open and why it was happening so late in her career, Schiavone, now 29, said, “Why late? I think everybody are different. Could be late for you, could be good for you. I think it’s my time now. Maybe before I wasn’t ready. Maybe before I had the chance I didn’t catch, so I think now I have just to live and to keep going to work like I did for many years.” Stosur, herself at 26, probably would agree with the Italian having been on tour herself since she was 15.
Whoever wins Saturday will make history in some way as Schiavone tries to become the first Italian women to win a Grand Slam title and Stosur tries to be the first Australian women to win one since Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon back in 1980. But no matter who holds up the trophy, both women show that past results don’t always indicate future greatness except for those that keep looking forward.
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