F. SCHIAVONE/E. Dementieva
76(3) ret. (left calf strain)

Q. Your face had an incredible reaction when you got the news that she was pulling out. What was going through your head?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I didn't know that. I know that she was injured somewhere but I didn't ask, because most important thing is to keep going with my playing.
When I saw her, I thought, Do you need something? No, was not easier for me. I hope now she's good. I spoke now with her, and I hope she can come back in Wimbledon good?

Q. Did you have any sense that she might be playing hurt? You played a great tiebreaker. She has great chances until you came back in the tiebreaker. Were you thinking at all about the fact that she doesn't look like herself or anything like that?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: No. The true that I didn't see her do something special, but was not easy for me to watch as to the other side. It was already to try to look at me and to try to do my best was already a lot.
So I don't know really what's happened, but it was a very tough set. I think both of us, we play good. But I was a little bit more consistent than her.
When I had the chance I tried to push, but was not ease.


Q. What gave you the ability in the tiebreaker? Did something go off in your mind? Suddenly you played a great couple of points there.
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Yeah, I played good because I was focus, and I said I have to play with spin as much as I can. So at the end was a good key. And also to play aggressive when I had the chance, because I keep going to play cross, and she didn't move to the forehand side.
So I said, Go cross, but when you have chance, go slice over there or push with the forehand to her forehand.
This was what I thought.

Q. Have you ever kissed a court before here?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: No. Two days ago. (laughter.)
No, is the second time.

Q. How does it taste? (Laughter.)
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: It was good. So good.

Q. Is there any disappointment at all, any part of you that's sad that you didn't get to play out the full match?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Yes. A little bit, yes, because I was not ready to finish like this. But I'm not upset, eh? I know her, so I respect. If she decide to finish, she has for sure some good reason.
But anyway, was long rally, and I don't know how she could play the first set. I don't know.

Q. I'm not sure if this has been asked already so interrupt if it has but when Elena came to you, what did she say? But most of all, you just had come off the win in the tiebreak. You looked so stunned, so shocked. What went through your mind?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: First of all, when I won the first set, I say, That's a good way, because I won not to waiting her mistake but to push and to try to do something. So I was very focused on my tactic and on my play. So was happy to catch that set.
Then when I see I was ready to take towel, I did like this, and I saw her too close. (Laughter.) I say, Maybe something happen. And for 10 seconds, I don't know how many seconds, but I couldn't realize.
Then I know when you shake the hands, it's finish. So then my mind came where I was.

Q. Have you ever been so shocked in a tennis match?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Yeah, there are many things that the woman do that you can shock. Whoo.

Q. Before the match, did you feel a bit more pressure than usual? Because I guess in Italy there must have been a lot of talk about you being the first Italian semifinalist in a long time. And also...
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: One. One by one.

Q. Sure.
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I'm very happy. Now that all the journalists say to me like this, now I start to feel that it is really big history. We are happy I think in Italy, also. They are very happy, and is time to enjoy for us, for everybody.
So you can start with second question. (Laughter.)

Q. Okay. Second one: Is why is that success coming so late for you?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Why late? I think everybody are different. Could be late for you, could be good for you. I think it's my time now. Maybe before I wasn't ready.
Maybe before I had the chance I didn't catch, so I think now I have just to live and to keep going to work like I did for many years.

Q. What are your chances for the final? You think you can win the final on Saturday?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I don't know. I really don't know, but I'm really happy to be here. I will go on the court and I will fight at the best that I will do it, that I can do.
Now is time to relax, and Saturday will be the time to put everything that I work until now.


(via ASAP SPORTS)

Roland Garros 2010: Francesca Schiavone's 03. June Interview