francesca schiavone

2011 US Open: Sam Stosur wins maiden Grand Slam title

When Samantha Stosur took on Francesca Schiavone in the 2010 French Open final, she was the favourite. That was not the case in her final match-up against Serena Williams at the 2011 US Open.

Serena dropped nary a set on her route to the final. Stosur, on the other hand, let many an opportunity to close matches early slip through her nervous fingers.

However, it was the Australian, much like Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon against Maria Sharapova, who exhibited nerveless character in the role of underdog. She was calm, composed and assured in her demolition of the 13-time Grand Slam champion.

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Flavia Pennetta: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

Flavia Pennetta Has An Old Head on Young Shoulders

What she said:

“I didn’t know that, but I know I’m a little bit old, like for tennis; for life I’m young.”

Flavia Pennetta is astounded to learn that she’s among the three oldest women still left in the women’s draw at the US Open.

Pennetta added:

But, well, actually we have a good experience, like Francesca last year, she won Roland Garros and she was 30, and this year final with 31.  Na Li, she won Roland Garros and she’s 29, also.  There is some player can growing up early and some player they need time, and I’m one of them.

What she really meant:

“Life begins after tennis.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“If I’m old before I’m 30, I wonder where middle age went?”

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Plays The Aggressor

What she said:

“Well, first of all, I tried to be excessive aggressive.”

Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova explains how she put it across Francesca Schivaone in the fourth round of the US Open.

What she really meant:

“More aggro than usual, that’s how I played.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I was passively aggressive.”

Women’s Semis Preview: Sharapova overwhelming favourite, Lisicki immediate threat

Has women’s tennis turned the Williams corner?

The quarter-finals dawned with not a Williams in sight. No Serena, No Venus.

Yes, they had both returned from injury. They had adequate warm-ups before the championships but not the desired results for bookies to up the ante.

Yet it all seemed business as usual, past the first week.

The odd-makers re-installed Serena as queen over the weekend.

It was not to be. Serena could not stop a rampaging, charged-up Marion Bartoli.

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Francesca Schiavone: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

"You should ask Roger (Federer) because I don’t have a lot of (grasscourt) wins.”

Francesca Schiavone admits that she is not well-equipped for grass and believes she should pick up some tips from six-time champion, Roger Federer, on how to cope at Wimbledon.

What she really meant:

“Roger Federer has won the title six times. He’s the best person to approach for advice on how to play at Wimbledon.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Grass is for cows—and Roger.”

Wimbledon 2011: Maria Sharapova favoured to clinch her fourth major

The trio of Ws coming together could generate more than enough hype and hoopla to keep sports writers busy for the next 14 days.

Maria Sharapova is making headlines—not for her fashion sense, boyfriends or her clothing line—but for her tennis. A fabulous run at the French Open reminded players and fans alike why she was considered one of the most exciting talents to burst onto the WTA tour at 17.

Li Na—her first ever major at Roland Garros—and a billion-plus Chinese fans ignited a Marco Polo-like rush to discover the next Chinese star.

The withdrawal of Kim Clijsters—an aggravation of her ankle injury—means that the Belgian is—for all practical purposes—-hobbled in her farewell year.

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‘Red, Red Clay’ by Francesca Schiavone and Li Na

 

Li Na finally won her first major at the ripe, old age of 29.

Francesca Schiavone’s hopes of defending her 2010 title were dashed by the daughter of a former badminton player. Li Na was told to switchover to tennis at eight by her coach. 

If there is a theme song for  the two unlikely protagonists in yet another fairy-tale ending at Roland Garros, it can only be ‘Red Red Clay’, a modified version of UB40’s ‘Red Red Wine’.

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Li Na: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“Age just paper.It’s just plus one.”

Li Na says that the age factor in the women’s final is not such a big deal.

What she really meant:

“Hell, Francesca’s just a year older than me.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Ageism? What’s that?”

Francesca Schiavone: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

"Okay, we only have about 70 million. But we have big hearts."

Francesca Schiavone is heartened by just 70 million compatriots’ support for the French Open final.

What she really meant:

“Numbers? Numbers mean nothing to me.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Italians have heart problems.”

Francesca Schiavone: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

“Or you are a big, big talent or now you can find 28 or 30 years old, and they use experience, they use body, mind.So for young player is much tougher now than before.”

Francesca Schiavone makes it clear that in the battle between youth and experience, the older players have the upper hand.

What she really meant:

“Body, mind and spirit together with experience makes for a formidable combination.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“I’ll hand you a walkover because you’re younger than me.”