Francesca Schiavone will face the challenge of Alize Cornet in the final of the 2012 Internationaux de StrasbourgYou can watch and bet on Schiavone v Cornet live for free at bet365 > live tennisFrancesca Schiavone will be delighted with how she’s played this week, and it looks like she’s found her form just in time for the French Open. The Italian has been seriously struggling this season, judging by her usual standards, though she’ll be feeling a lot more confident now that she’s just one win away from her first WTA title of the season. She booked her place in the final of the 2012 Internationaux de Strasbourg with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over America’s Sloane Stephens.
“The first set wasn't great. I was using what was there in that moment and just tried to keep going,” said Schiavone after the match. “It wasn't easy today. It was windy, and it's particularly difficult when you play against the wind, because you have to push hard and stay down with your legs, and be consistent - it's hard to make great shots, so you just have to study how to play the best way, then do it.”
“Sloane can play really well, so I had to use my experience. It wasn't great tennis, but it was important to win and I'm very happy to be in the final.”
Schiavone will now meet Alize Cornet in the final. Cornet, a former top twenty player, is clearly also enjoying a revival here. She defied compatriot Pauline Parmentier in the semi-finals (4-6, 6-1, 6-3).
Speaking ahead of the final, Schiavone remarked, “I know the crowd will support Alizé in the final - she's French and she's a great player. But I will go out there and try my best, fight and enjoy the match, and I hope the public will support me for the final too!”
