FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE BIOGRAPHY

Francesca Schiavone Profile

Singles Ranking: 5
Doubles Ranking: 135
Country: Italy
Birth Date: 23 June 1980
Birth Place: Milan, Italy
Residence: Milan, Italy
Height: 1.65 metres (5 ft. 5 in.)
Weight: 64.1 kilos (141 lbs.)
Plays: Right Handed

Biography:
Italian Francesca Schiavone won her first career Grand Slam came at the 2010 French Open as she defeated Samantha Stosur in the final, 6-4, 7-6 (2).
Before the victory, Schiavone had never made it past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam. She enjoyed her first Top 100 season in 2000 and reached the third round of the US Open. She finished in the top 50 at the end of 2001 and 2002, and made the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2001, losing to Martina Hingis.
She reached the top 20 in 2003, reaching the quarterfinals five times including at the US Open. In 2004, she finished in the top 20 again, reaching the fourth round of the French and US Opens.
After four straight seasons in the top 20, she dipped back to the top 30 in 2007 and 2008. She returned to the top 20 in 2009, winning her second Tour singles title at Moscow and making it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the fourth round of the US Open.
She began 2010 by reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, then won at Barcelona, defeating Roberta Vinci 6-1, 6-1 in the final.
At Roland Garros, she first raised eyebrows by defeating No. 3 Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals, advanced through the semis when No. 5 Elena Dementieva retired, and beat Stosur in straight sets in the final.
Her luck did not continue at Wimbledon, as she was upset in the first round by 56th-ranked Vera Dushevina, but still made the year-end championships for the first time and finished No. 7 in the world.
In 2011, Schiavone reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open to rise to a career-best No. 4. She reached the finals at the French Open, losing to Li Na.

Career Grand Slam TitlesSingles (1): French Open (2010)

Year-End Singles Rankings: 2000 - 80th; 2001 - 31st; 2002 - 41st; 2003 - 20th; 2004 - 19th; 2005 - 13th; 2006 - 15th; 2007 - 25th; 2008 -30th; 2009 - 17th; 2010 - 7th.

Personal
Francesca is the daughter of a sports retailer and a doctor. She enjoys writing, dancing and spending time with friends. She is only the second Italian female to be ranked in the Top 10.

Images: