Schiavone to meet Stosur in French final

Francesca Schiavone will play Samantha Stosur in tomorrow\'s French Open final, the latest surprise in a week full of them at Roland Garros.



The 17th-seeded Schiavone became the first Italian woman to reach a major final when opponent Elena Dementieva unexpectedly retired from their semifinal yesterday with a left calf injury after losing the first set 7-6.



Number 7 Stosur then became the first Australian woman in 30 years to reach a Grand Slam final by drubbing former Number 1 Jelena Jankovic 6-1, 6-2.



Both Schiavone and Stosur are first-time Grand Slam finalists.



Meanwhile, the men’s semifinal will take place today.



Four-time champion Rafael Nadal plays journeyman Jurgen Melzer, who never advanced beyond the third round in his previous 31 major tournaments.



Another first-time Grand Slam semifinalist, Tomas Berdych, faces last year\'s runner-up, Number 5 Robin Soderling.