Schiavone makes history as injury forces tearful Dementieva to quit

Dementieva retired after losing the first set 7-6 (7/3) on Philippe Chatrier Court, the fifth seed apparently injured, having received treatment during her quarter-final victory over fellow Russian Nadia Petrova.

The 28-year-old had been a break up and seemingly in control of the match before surrendering that advantage as well as a 2-0 lead in the tie-break.

The semi-finals were the first in a grand slam since the 1979 Australian Open in which none of the women had previously won a major.

Dementieva had finished runner-up at Roland Garros and the US Open in 2004 and was playing in her ninth semi overall, while Schiavone had not previously reached the last four of any slam and was the first Italian female to do so in the Open era.

The 29-year-old had produced arguably the performance of the tournament to beat Caroline Wozniacki in the quarters, while Dementieva won the battle of the walking wounded against Petrova.

Schiavone was unable to reproduce her all-action display as she was pegged back by Dementieva's forehand and her opponent's own forward advances.

The Italian still managed to create break points in the Russian's opening three service games but Dementieva – notoriously fragile on serve – rose to the challenge.

And when Schiavone finally gave up a break point on her own serve in game seven, Dementieva pounced. Yet, a horrible follow-up game saw two double forehand errors and two double-faults gift the 17th seed the break back.

The rest of the set went to serve before Dementieva took a 2-0 lead in the tie break. But she then lost the next six points to lose it 7-3 and quickly signalled she would not be continuing. Despite the manner of her victory, Schiavone – who will play Samantha Stosur in tomorrow's final – could not help celebrating her historic achievement. Schiavone once again celebrated by sinking to her knees and kissing the clay. Asked how it tasted, she said: "It was good. So good."

The Italian, who had never previously been past the quarter-finals in a grand slam tournament, added: "I didn't know she was pulling out.

"I knew that she was injured somehow but I didn't ask because the most important thing was to keep going with my play.

"I was ready to take my towel and suddenly I saw her too close. And for ten seconds, many seconds, I didn't realise. Then when she shook my hand I knew it was finished. Then my mind realised where I was."

Schiavone, the 17th seed, could become the first player outside the top ten seeds to win the women's singles at the French Open since 1933 and end Italy's wait for a grand slam champion which has been going on since Adriano Panatta won at Roland Garros in 1976. "Now I start to feel that it is really big history," she said. "We are happy I think in Italy. They are very happy and it's time to enjoy."

Dementieva confirmed afterwards she had been playing with a torn left calf muscle since her second-round win over Anabel Medina Garrigues.

"I have a tear in my left calf, so it's very painful to even walk," said the Russian, who revealed she had also come close to quitting during her third-round victory over Aleksandra Wozniak. "Today was just a sharp pain. It was a bit too much."

Dementieva will withdraw from the Aegon International in Eastbourne because of the injury, adding she was "not sure" whether she would be fit for Wimbledon.