By Blair Henley
Francesca Schiavone’s supporters at Roland Garros wore black shirts that said Schiavo – Nothing is Impossible. Much to everyone’s surprise, except perhaps Schiavone, they were right.
The wide-eyed Italian became the first woman from her country to win a Grand Slam singles title after taking out heavily-favored No. 7 seed Sam Stosur 6-4, 7-6 (2) for the 2010 French Open title.
Then she kissed the red clay.
Just minutes later former champion Mary Pierce handed Schiavone her trophy, and of course, she kissed that, too.
“I didn’t prepare nothing,” she said in her acceptance speech. “Because if I prepare something in the future it never happens. I felt amazing today. I’m really, really happy. Thank you to everyone!”
Schiavone, seeded No. 17, beat Stosur once in 2005, but had lost in their next four meetings, including a 6-4, 6-2 defeat in the first round of last year’s French Open. The 29-year-old veteran had never been past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam in 39 attempts, but she showed no signs of wilting under that pressure. In fact, she overcame a 4-1 deficit in the second set before coming back to win in the tiebreak.
“I tried to stay focused on my play and not to think about other things,” she explained. “I tried to play and just enjoy, really enjoy, from the heart.”
Stosur’s high bouncing kick serves and penetrating forehands had been the talk of the tournament until the final match where Schiavone doubled Stosur’s ace totals and finished with more winners than her opponent, including several at the net.
“I am 60 kilos and she is 70,” the diminutive Italian said with a smile. “I had to use one tactic, so I used the volley.”
Stosur graciously answered questions about what she thought happened in a match she could have, and probably should have, won.
“I don’t know for sure [what happened],” she said. “But I know she played extremely well and never let me get into my full groove. I thought I played quite well, but she was better today.”
Schiavone lauded her opponent in her acceptance speech, praising her athleticism and character.
“You deserve to be here next time,” she said to her heartbroken opponent. “You are young. You can do it.”
The 26-year-old Australian is just three years younger than Schiavone, but the crowd laughed at the Italian’s acknowledgement that she is considered an old-timer in the tennis world.
On Monday, Schiavone will crack the world’s Top 10 for the first time in her career. She and Stosur will be ranked No. 6 and No. 7 respectively.
Stosur upset current world No. 1 Serena Williams and two former No. 1s Justine Henin and Jelena Jankovic in succession before reaching the final, but it was Schiavone who had the upset of the tournament. She played like she had nothing to lose, but we all know that wasn’t the case.
“Nothing to lose? No,” she said. “When you want something, you have always something to lose.”