Francesca Schiavone à propos Sam Stosur: “She’s very strong, great power. She improves so mentally, physically a lot.
I think will be very tough and very close match, and will be a lot of tactics in the court. I think like this.”

Sam Stosur about Francesca Schiavone: “I think, you know, it’s a final. It’s a different situation and everything else. I mean, who knows what’s gonna happen? I think it’s whoever can handle it better on the day. And then like I said before, maybe keep it about the tennis and they’ll probably have a good shot at winning.”

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Nobody saw this final coming. Well, Stosur’s presence in final is not such a surprise given her great results lately (win in Charleston and final in Stuttgart), but Schivone’s presence was really unexpected. Her best result in a Grand Slam so far was a quarter finals in Wimbledon last year.

But today, both Sam and Francesca are writing a beautiful page of their country tennis history.

Sam Stosur is the first Australian woman to reach a Grand Slam final since Wendy Turnbull in 1980. And Francesca Schiavone is now the first Italian woman ever to reach a Grand Slam final. She will also crack the Top 10 for the first time next week – just the second Italian ever to do so, after Flavia Pennetta.

Sam Stosur:

All the hard time is paying off for Stosur. Sidelined for about 9 months in 2007-2008 with the debilitating career-threatening Lyme’s disease, she recovered to regain her place in the top 30 last season. She captured her first WTA title last fall over … Francesca Schiavone and cracked the top 10. Stosur’s serve and forehand groundstrokes, hit with heavy spin are considered some of the best on the women’s tour.
She had an incredible run these past two weeks: she has beaten three past and present n°1s in a row (Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic) on the way to the final.

Stosur’s record in finals so far:

Francesca Shiavone

Francesca’s path to the final was much more easier: she defeated Caroline Wozniacki in quarters and Elena Dementieva in semifinals, but the Dane was exhausted by her marathon match against Flavia Pennetta in the previous round, and Elena retired after the loss of the first set.
She is a very complete player and likes to attack the net to finish off the point.

Schiavone’s record in finals so far:

So, who’s the favorite for the title this afternoon?

Sam and Francesca are both in the form of their life but Stosur seems to be the one who will capture her maiden Grand Slam title.

But who knows how both of them will handle the pressure?

Sam used to be a choker but everything has changed since a few months. And as she explained it in press conference she already has Grand Slam finals experience… in doubles. But the pressure is on the Australian, as the Italian is clearly the underdog.
Francesca is a fighter and will give eveything for the title, she also knows there won’t be any other chance for her!

So, it will be an interesting match today between these two veterans. Sam leads their head to head 4 to 1, she has won their last four meetings. She’s clearly the favorite but a final is so different from every other match, so who knows what can happen.

You can follow the final live on Tennis Buzz this afternoon.

Sam Stosur advances to the semifinals : she could have won easily 6-2 6-3 but she missed the occasion and Serena came back. The Australian saved a match point at 5-4 (30-40) in the third and defeated the world number one 6-2 6-7 8-6.

Two little videos of Sam Stosur, 2007 French Open:

This afternoon, Sam Stosur will meet Jelena Jankovic, and Elena Dementieva will face Francesca Schiavone.

Other surprise today: Jurgen Melzer beat world number 3 Novak Djokovic. The Serb lead 2 sets to love and a break but Melzer worked it hard and won in 5: 3-6 2-6 6-2 7-6 6-4.
Big desillusion for the Serb who should focus on his game instead of playing the drama queen.

Stat of the day: 1
Of all the 8 semifinalists, Rafael Nadal is the only one to have already won a major.

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Read more:
Back in 2007 – part 1
Back in 2007 – part 2

Svetlana Kuznetsova:

The future was bright for Svetlana Kuznetsova when she won the US Open in 2004. But she never fullfilled her potential, and had just reached one Grand Slam final since.
With the help of new coach Larissa Neiland, she refocused on her game, and put her career back on track. She battled past Serena Williams and Sam Stosur in quarter and semi finals, but Safina was no match for the powerful and versatile Kuznetsova.

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