^


Well there she is.After winning the first set 7-6.
Elena came up to the net shaking hand and had to retire of her injury.
Did not ended the way that she wanted.
But her dream run kept going.
I am so proud of her and Italy should be glue to the TV for the final Saturday.
She will have a rough time for Smatha Stosur is the hottest woman right now after defeating all the top notch player.
She is awesome.
Though I wish Schiavone the best of luck.
She should be proud of what she accomplised.
Good Luck to both of them.
My country woman made it to the final.







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PARIS, France - Her semifinal may not have ended the way she wanted, but Francesca Schiavone's dream run at the French Open kept going, and now she is the first Italian woman ever - Open Era, all-time - to play a major final.

On Court Philippe Chatrier, the No.17-seeded Schiavone took on No.5 seed Elena Dementieva in a contrasting match-up between crafty clay courter and aggressor. The rallies were tight as Dementieva hit strong and deep, with Schiavone using topspin, slice and angles. With the exception of one exchange of breaks mid-way through the set it was dead even through the tie-break, where Schiavone won six points in a row from 0-2 to reach quadruple set point, 6-2.

It was then where things started going down. After a long rally Dementieva hit a backhand drop volley winner, grimaced and appeared to be holding back tears. The Russian had been troubled in earlier matches with a calf injury - Schiavone won the breaker on the next point, went to her chair and was approached by Dementieva, who said she could play no more. 76(3) retired.

Schiavone, who was the first Italian in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, is now the first Italian 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 (who will also be in next week's Top 10).

Next up for Schiavone will be either No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic or No.7 seed Sam Stosur, who played the second semifinal of the day.