Italian Francesca Schiavone and Australian Samantha Stosur are going to play in the women's singles final at the French Open as both of them advanced into a Grand Slam final for the first time on Thursday.
Schiavone, seeded 17th, took the first set 7-6(3) while against the fifth seed Elena Dementieva from Russia in the semifinals, then was shocked for a moment as Dementieva rendered her the victory with retirement.
"I just have a tear in my left calf, so it's very painful to even walk. I got it after my second match, so I just aggravate it during these matches," explained Dementieva. "Today was just a sharp pain. It was a bit too much. Couldn't really move on the court."
Francesca Schiavone of Italy
Dementieva didn't ask for treatment during the 69 minutes match but she did receive treatment during her quarterfinal win over compatriot Nadia Petrova.
Dementieva's retirement meant that the 29-year-old Schiavone became the first Italian woman reaching a Grand Slam final.
Stosur, 26, needed even nine minutes less than Schiavone to grab her first Grand Slam final berth by beating the fourth seed Jelena Jankovic from Serbia 6-1, 6-2.
"The whole time I didn't really have a rhythm," Jankovic said. "Samantha played really well. She served well. Overall she played quite solid."
Stosur's previous best Grand Slam result was a semifinal finish at Roland Garros last year during which the Australian defeated Schiavone in the first round.
The world No. 7 claimed her first WTA title in Osaka at the end of last year, also by beating Schiavone in the final.
Before the win over Jankovic, Stosur had shown her great potential by overcoming four time French Open champion Justin Henin and the top seed Serena Williams.
"I think beating the caliber of players I've played the last three rounds definitely helps me for Saturday's match. I've beaten all those, so why can't I win one more?" said Stosur.
Samantha Stosur of Australia