Italy’s Francesca Schiavone and Belarus’ Olga Govortsova were unlikely picks to reach the final at the Kremlin Cup with Vera Zvonareva and defending champ Jelena Jankovic as the top two seeds at this premier tournament. Thus, this was especially sweet for Schiavone seeded eight as she made the most of her fortuitous circumstance in defeating Govortsova 6-3, 6-0 to claim her second and biggest title of her career.
The 29 year old Italian had been in her second 2009 final in Osaka just last week losing to Samantha Stosur. Coming into Moscow, Schiavone had a horrendous final record, 1 for 10. On the other hand, for 21 year old Govortsova, this was her second WTA final although still with a title. These competitors had split their prior two meetings.
After three uneventful service games by the players, serving at 40-15, Govortsova dumped two forehands into the net for deuce. Then, with another crosscourt forehand error, Govortsova allowed Schiavone to get to break point. The Italian took a 3-1 lead after Govortsova mishandled Schiavone’s sliced backhand with a forehand error. However, Schiavone’s edge was brief. After placing a forehand up the line winner for two game points, Francesca double faulted and was unable to deal with a low ball causing her backhand volley to find the bottom of the net. As a result of two forehand mistakes by Schiavone, Govortsova erased the break for 2-3. Subsequently, in a marathon game with nine deuces, with a sensational forehand volley, Schiavone was once more with a break for 4-2. But, the Italian relinquished her advantage promptly with a sleuth of forehand miscues. Yet, with a forehand up the line winner, a forehand crosscourt winner and a deep return which provoked an error from Govortsova, Schiavone had a couple of break chances. Francesca capitalized when Olga’s forehand didn’t clear the net. This time, with a love game including a couple of aces, Schiavone wrapped up the set 6-3.
After the trainer attended to Govortsova’s back prior to starting the second set, with Schiavone’s amazing backhand dropshot winner, the Belarusian faced double break point. Subsequently, a backhand crosscourt error from Olga gave Francesca the break. Schiavone consolidated with a second serve ace for 2-0. Another mistake laden game by Govortsova resulted in triple break point for Schiavone. A forehand miscue from the Belarusian extended the Italian’s edge to 3-0. After a love service game, Schiavone broke one last time for 5-0. With an ace, the Italian arrived at championship point. Schiavone sealed the deal when Govortsova’s crosscourt forehand landed long.
With a second round win, Jankovic qualified for the final spot at the year ending championships in Doha which gets underway on Tuesday. With Dinara Safina and Serena Williams neck in neck in the rankings, the Sony Ericsson championships will determine this season’s top dog. The field is also comprised of Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Venus Williams.
