Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone won her first title since 2013 when she defeated Shelby Rogers of the United States 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the Rio de Janeiro final. The Italian former world number four, now ranked at 132, came back from a set and a break down to defeat her 23-year-old opponent and claim her seventh career title.
Schiavone is the third Italian winner on the WTA Tour this year after Roberta Vinci in St Petersburg and Sara Errani in Dubai. This victory guarantees a return to the world top 100 next week for the veteran who is in her third decade on tour.
Francesca Schiavone
- Francesca Schiavone is an Italian professional tennis player who turned professional in 1998.
- She won the 2010 French Open singles title, becoming the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam event in singles. She was also runner-up at the 2011 French Open.
- Her career high ranking is World No. 4, achieved on 31 January 2011.
- To date, Schiavone is the last one handed-backhand player to win a Grand Slam title on the women’s tour.
- Schiavone has won 7 WTA singles titles in total, including Roland Garros.
- Schiavone employs an all-court game and has a very classic approach to her clay game.
