World No.4 Francesca Schiavone skipped last weekend’s Fed Cup action in order to start the clay court season fresh and prepared so that she can give her best in defending the French Open title, but the start wasn’t as successful as she hoped for. The Italian lost her opening match on clay to Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and in straight sets, 6-1 6-3.
In previous years, it was Schiavone who won all the four encounters with Radwanska, but in 2011, the Pole defeated Schiavone 6-0 6-2 in Miami and now in Stuttgart, in their first meeting on clay.
Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki cruised into the quarterfinals with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Zuzana Kucova. Her opponent in the last eight will be Andrea Petkovic, who came back from a set down to upset seventh seed Jelena Jankovic 3-6 6-1 6-3.
Seeds number six and eight also lost. Li Na lost to Sabine Lisicki 6-4 7-5, while Marion Bartoli lost to Kristina Barrois 6-4 6-2. Vera Zvonareva and Samantha Stosur advanced in three sets – the Russian against compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the Australian against Daniela Hantuchova. (photo: Stephane Martinache)
Let’s be honest- she won the French open only because she had luck with the draw and in the final wasn’t afraid of winning the match. Yes, she has some interesting shots and she mixes them, but she plays for top 20 and that’s it. I don’t have anything against her, she’s cool,this is just reality. I doubt that kind of luck will repeat to her again.
Mirjana, with all the esteem I have for Francesca however I agree with you… I like her game because it’s varied and fun to watch, but sometimes, if it’s a bad day, can be very inconsistent…
I haven’t seen the match and I have no idea how it went, Agnieszka has definitely made progress and Francesca must feel so much pressure, due to both Roland Garros and the withdrawal from the Fed Cup.
Yes, certainly she had a lucky draw last year, just think about the retirement of Elena, but compared to the other girls she knew how to exploit it, this was good 🙂
I also agree. Samantha Stosur partly won the tournament for her because she defeated the toughest competitors and in the end just ran out of steam. Nothing against Francesca, but her results since RG and the overall record just confirm that she was at the right place at the right time.
Guys, not sure you heard the news…Franny made the QF’s at the US and Australian Opens. And she probably would have gone to the SF in Australia if she didn’t have a 4hr 44minute match in the 4th round!
Marine, Stosur chocked in the final.
And Fran has had much better post RG results than Stosur.
I don’t want to sound so negative but I think there’s a very slim chance that Fran would be able to defend her title. Sorry.
With confidence, I’ve already tossed out Frankie as a potential winner at RG. My earlier Ivanovic supportive prediction is shaky as her nerves, love her attacking game but will she be fit and tough on the big stage? The inconsistent Kuznetsova is certainly a dark horse candidate. IMO the Frankie/Kuzzy match at AO is the best match of the year so far.
Sveta’s form has been just awful since AO, but a return to RG and a chance to win another slam may be the inspiration she needs. Stosur better get a move on during clay season as she has a lot of points to defend. Would have more confidence in Caro’s chances but not a fan of her playing every other week at some tourney, still her consistency is admirable.
seems like she was under pressured because her absent in fed cup costs her country the title
Oh! Can Caro get her revenge against Petko for Miami? 😀
Stosur definitely choked that is true. Schiavone had good run and grand slams but so did Caro and many others who have no slams so far. So I would not pick her as the main favourite. I think she has high chances though.
@Helen, there’s slim chance
I’d love to see Caro knocked out again by Petko
and let’s the dance begin…
LOL
Yes, Francesca is very talented and has a beautiful game with variety. Without question the defending champion has a better chance than most other players to win at RG. But just have a feeling she won’t.