Sam books date with destiny

Samantha Stosur will be the first Australian to contest a women’s singles Grand Slam final in 30 years after a 6-1 6-2 demolition of No.4 seed and former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic.

Stosur took precisely one hour to register the comprehensive win and continue her dream claycourt season. Since claiming the WTA Charleston title in April, the 26 year old has gone 20-2 on clay and will be seeking to cap it off with her first Grand Slam on Saturday night (AEST).

The last Australian to vie for a women’s Grand Slam title was Wendy Turnbull at the 1980 Australian Open (which was played at Kooyong in December). Earlier that year, Evonne Goolagong Cawley was victorious at Wimbledon, making her the most recent Australian women’s Grand Slam winner.

Stosur’s opponent will be Italian world No.17 Francesca Schiavone, who progressed to Saturday’s final following the retirement of Elena Dementieva. Schiavone claimed the opening set of their semifinal 7-6(2), but the Russian world No.5 took everyone by surprise when she withdrew citing a left calf tear.

The final combatants have met on five previous occasions, with Stosur holding a commanding 4-1 edge. Schiavone’s only win over the Australian came in their first encounter in 2005, but it’s been one way traffic since that point with Stosur claiming their next four meetings in straight sets. Two of these matches were on clay, including round 1 of the 2009 French Open, which Stosur won 6-4 6-2.

Margaret Court was the last Australian to win a title at Roland Garros when she triumphed in 1973 while Turnbull was the last Aussie prior to Stosur to reach the final, losing to Chris Evert in 1979.

Regardless of the outcome, Stosur is guaranteed to move up one place to world No.6 following the French Open.

Coverage of the French Open Women’s finals will be available on Fox Sports 3 (Nationally) and the Nine Network (check local guides for more information).

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