Pat Rafter, Wendy Turnbull back Samantha Stosur to win French Open title

Australian tennis legends Pat Rafter and Wendy Turnbull have backed World No. 7 Samantha Stosur to snap the country’s 37-year drought at the French Open following her spectacular run in the tournament so far.

Stosur will fight for the women’s singles trophy against Italy’s Francesca Schiavone tonight, and if she wins she will be the first Australian woman since Margaret Court to triumph at the Roland Garros.

Rafter said that he was impressed by Stosur’s landmark wins over past Paris champions Justine Henin and Serena Williams, and her thumping victory over former World No.1 Jelena Jankovic.

“I think she wins the final if she keeps herself together. And I think she will still keep on getting better,” The Courier Mail quoted Rafter, as saying.

“Schiavone is dangerous. I'm just hoping Sam plays her game - she is still really exciting because of how raw she still is,” he added.

Meanwhile, Turnbull, who was the most recent Australian woman to reach the French Open final, losing to Chris Evert in 1979, said: “I love the fact that another Queenslander is flying the flag.”

“Sam is as strong as a bull and hits the ball so hard. I don't think there is any way she can lose to Schiavone if she keeps playing this way.”

“Schiavone has a big heart and is gutsy, but I don't think she has any weapons to hurt Sam and she knows this. It has been too long since an Aussie woman has won a Grand Slam singles,” Turnbull added.