Francesca Schiavone win French Open

Francesca Schiavone became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title after defeating Australian favourite Samantha Stosur in the French Open final on Saturday.

The 29-year-old from Milan is the first Italian woman to lift a Grand Slam trophy and is the first Italian player overall to play a Grand Slam final since Adriano Panatta won Paris in 1976.

Schiavone dominated on the clay against the seventh-seeded Stosur, who reached the semi-finals a year ago.

Schiavone, seeded 17th, rallied from 4-1 down in the second set and triumphed on the first of four match point in the tiebreaker.

Stosur couldn’t handle a return, which she mishit wide to hand over the win in 1 hour 38 minutes.

Schiavone kissed the clay and the then ran up into the stands for a group hug with her friends and supporters.

The best previous result at Roland Garros by an Italian woman was in 1954 Roland Garros when Silvia Lazzarino lost a semi-final against Maureen Connolly.

The Italian will rise to a number six ranking according to the WTA, taking over as top Italian. Schiavone was playing the event for the tenth time.