What I wouldn't give for my favorite players to have Shahar and Frank's fight, resolve, and resourcefulness. The two fought for over 2 hours and 45 minutes in the searing afternoon heat, with Shahar coming out on top. She's got a chance to break into the top 10 here.
Fran didn't have it today and really, throughout the week her game hasn't been as tight as it needs to be. But the passion, heart, and creativity? She ain't slumpin' in that department. This was a tight three setter only because of those intangibles. On level of play alone, Shahar had Fran beat. But Fran "hoo-ha'd", sliced, diced, and converted a stadium of people into die-hard Schiavone fans. You could feel the crowd's love for her grow with every stroke, every fist pump, every wide, and every rueful smile after a miss.
All these recent debates about the vague concept of what is "good" for tennis are pointless. Is Caro being #1 "good" for tennis? Is Justine's retirement "good" for tennis? Is on-court coaching "good" for tennis?
Fuck all that. You know what's good for tennis? Francesca Schiavone. Bless.
(Pics: Forty Deuce)
