The 2010 French Open will produce a first-time Grand Slam winner as Francesca Schiavone of Italy faces Samantha Stosur of Australia.
Neither 29 year-old Francesca nor 26 year-old Samantha have ever won a Grand Slam event. Neither have ever even been in a Grand Slam final before. It was only the 2nd time Samantha reached a semifinal (the French Open in 2009), and Schiavone has never been beyond a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam tournament.
Samantha leads their head-to-head series 4-1, including the past four times they have met. All five matches have been straight sets victories. Francesca won their first matchup in 2005. Samantha won the past four, including two on clay.
Both play with a power game, both have huge backhands and powerful serves. It should be an interesting match. I give the edge to Samantha who is playing with huge confidence after her last three wins, and has the momentum against Francesca on her side. She knows she can beat Francesca who must be wondering what she can do differently to overcome the power of Samantha. Samantha also has a little more youth on her side, and seems to be in tremendous condition. I predict Samantha in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
