Like many others, I got caught up in the Sam Stosur story at this week’s French Open. She had an impressive tournament, beating three past and present world number ones to reach the final (four-time champion Justine Henin, 12-time major winner Serena Williams and then Jelena Jankovic), raising Aussie hopes that perhaps she could be our nation’s first holder of the title since Margaret Court in 1973.
But Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone also had an underdog story looking for a fairytale ending, as an older player who has never before reached a majors semi-final and the first Italian hope for a French Open title, and last night Schiavone lifted Italian and broke Australian hearts by beating Stosur convincingly in 2 sets.
Schiavone deserved to win – she totally outplayed Stosur in the first set, and although Stosur fought back hard in the second set she couldn’t break through. It was a great match to watch, highly varied play instead of just baseline slogs, with those fantastic player slides that you only get on clay.
Speaking of clay, the elated abandon of Shiavone as she climbed through the stands in her clay-covered togs to hugs from her family and friends brought the biggest grin to my face from watching sport for a long time.
5 responses so far ↓
Shaun // Jun 6, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I only caught the highlights on the news but the scene of Shiavone climbing into the stands was a great one. Only the hardest heart could not feel joy for her.
And well done to Sam. Any disappointed should be tempered by the skill and class she showed to make the final. Hope that this tournament gives her confidence going into Wimbledon.
Mountain Boy // Jun 6, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I watched start to finish. I thought Sam played with more restraint than she showed in her previous matches, maybe with the thought that opponent’s errors might be worth more points than her own winners. Not going for clean winners was only ever going to play into the hands of the one who was looking for a rally at every opportunity. Schiavone played relatively mistake free, and for a baseliner chose moments to come to the net well, and most importantly created deception through changes of pace and spin. Stosur, for a multi- grand slam doubles winner, missed some fairly easy volleys, and was a bit overawed, I thought, amongst a crowd that predominantly were not supporting her this time. In all, still a great effort, especially for an Australian female tennis player.
Shaun // Jun 7, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Btw, thanks for posting this tig. You are always welcome to post more is you have the time (which understand may be limited).
tigtog // Jun 8, 2010 at 12:04 am
Someone asked me last week about my absence from sports blogging, so I thought I’d make an effort!
Mountain Boy // Jun 8, 2010 at 5:44 pm
also btw, I think not even a French Open victory will do much for Francesa Schiavone in the romance department.