* Defending champion beats Pavlyuchenkova in three sets
* Italian was “sad” before fighting back
(adds quotes)
PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) - Holder Francesca Schiavone recovered from a torrid start to beat Russian 14th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 1-6 7-5 7-5 and book her place into the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday.
Italian fifth seed Schiavone struggled to cope with windy conditions and her 19-year-old opponent’s powerful shots as she went 6-1 4-2 down in under an hour, before getting her act together.
She won six games in a row to take the second set and break twice in the decider before prevailing after wobbles from both players.
“I can’t go serve and volley or do something strange. The key is to play deep and with spin and as soon as I have the chance, go inside,” the 30-year-old champion told reporters explaining her tactics.
“I was really sad inside but what can you do? Nobody can change it, just me. So I came back and I enjoyed it a little bit more at the end than at the start, for sure.”
Schiavone was a shock winner last year but is now one of the favourites to defend her title in a topsy-turvy women’s competition where the top three seeds crashed out early.
“Clay, for sure, always gives you a chance,” Schiavone added. “Grass gives us less chance. Hardcourt less. So on clay you have to go to the net and shake hands before you can say the match is finished.”
Schiavone will face local favourite Marion Bartoli, the 11th seed, or Russian 13th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion, for a place in Saturday’s final.
“It’s a very good experience,” Pavlyuchenkova said.
“It’s my first quarter-final and it’s never easy to play a good game and easily win a match in the quarter-finals, especially against Francesca. She was really great today.”
* Italian was “sad” before fighting back
(adds quotes)
PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) - Holder Francesca Schiavone recovered from a torrid start to beat Russian 14th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 1-6 7-5 7-5 and book her place into the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday.
Italian fifth seed Schiavone struggled to cope with windy conditions and her 19-year-old opponent’s powerful shots as she went 6-1 4-2 down in under an hour, before getting her act together.
She won six games in a row to take the second set and break twice in the decider before prevailing after wobbles from both players.
“I can’t go serve and volley or do something strange. The key is to play deep and with spin and as soon as I have the chance, go inside,” the 30-year-old champion told reporters explaining her tactics.
“I was really sad inside but what can you do? Nobody can change it, just me. So I came back and I enjoyed it a little bit more at the end than at the start, for sure.”
Schiavone was a shock winner last year but is now one of the favourites to defend her title in a topsy-turvy women’s competition where the top three seeds crashed out early.
“Clay, for sure, always gives you a chance,” Schiavone added. “Grass gives us less chance. Hardcourt less. So on clay you have to go to the net and shake hands before you can say the match is finished.”
Schiavone will face local favourite Marion Bartoli, the 11th seed, or Russian 13th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion, for a place in Saturday’s final.
“It’s a very good experience,” Pavlyuchenkova said.
“It’s my first quarter-final and it’s never easy to play a good game and easily win a match in the quarter-finals, especially against Francesca. She was really great today.”
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