Tamira Paszek def. No. 6 Francesca Schiavone 3-6, 6-4, 11-9. Austrian Tamira Paszek advanced to the second week of a grand slam for the first time since 2007, upsetting 2010 French Open champion (and 2011 runner-up) Francesca Schiavone in a marathon encounter on Court 12 that began on Friday but was postponed due to rain.
Wimbledon 2011, Results: Tamira Paszek Ousts No. 6 Francesca Schiavone 11-9 In Third Set
Schiavone broke Paszek several times as the third set went past regulation, giving herself several opportunities to serve for the match. But displaying an uncharacteristic lack of killer instinct, Schiavone allowed Paszek back into the match time and time again.
Paszek finally held at 9-9, and broke Schiavone yet again to seal the upset one game later.
It’s been a long road back for the half-Chilean, half-Tanzanian Austrian. She battled severe back injuries for much of 2009, and then was investigated for blood doping because of procedures she received to treat the injury. She was cleared of all charges, however, and has slowly been climbing back slowly. She won an indoor title in Quebec City last fall, but the fourth round of Wimbledon is a much more significant step.
Paszek’s success thus far has her on the brink of breaking back into the top fifty, and if she’s able to come through her very winnable fourth round match against Ksenia Pervak she could jump into the top forty.
Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more results from Day 6 of Wimbledon 2011.
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