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Francesca SchiavoneItalian tennis player
Date of Birth: 23.06.1980
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Biography of Francesca Schiavone
Francesca Schiavone is an Italian tennis player who made history on June 5, 2010. She became the first Italian woman to win a singles Grand Slam tournament, defeating Samantha Stosur, who was considered the favorite to win. This victory propelled Schiavone to the sixth position in the world rankings, marking the first time in her career that she entered the top ten. It was also the best result for Italian tennis, surpassing Flavia Pennetta's tenth spot.
Early Career
Francesca Schiavone turned professional in 1998 and quickly made a name for herself in the tennis world. She achieved her first major success by winning the French Open singles title, becoming the first Italian woman to ever win a Grand Slam event. Currently, Schiavone is regarded as the sixth-ranked female tennis player in the world.
Successes and Achievements
Schiavone has won four WTA singles titles and finished as the runner-up ten times, earning eight silver medals since the fall of 2005. For the first eight years of her career, she struggled to win in finals. However, in July 2007, she finally broke the streak and claimed victory. She also played a crucial role in Italy's victory over Belgium in the 2006 Fed Cup, alongside her teammates Mara Santangelo, Flavia Pennetta, and Roberta Vinci. This win marked Italy's first-ever Fed Cup title.
In 2009, Schiavone again helped secure Italy's victory in the Fed Cup, this time against the United States. She demonstrated exceptional performance in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships in 2008, defeating the four-time world champion, Justine Henin, twice with scores of 7-6, 7-6. Schiavone had previously beaten another world number one, Amelie Mauresmo, in the 2006 Fed Cup.
Furthermore, Schiavone claimed a silver medal in the women's doubles event at the 2008 French Open, partnering with Casey Dellacqua from Australia.
Playing Style
Schiavone is known for her versatility on the court and her adherence to a classic style of play. She excels in both her backhand and forehand shots. Notably, she is one of the three players in the Top 50 who employ a single-handed backhand in their matches.
