Dellacqua speaks little of Schiavone’s native Italian and Schiavone is working on her English, but despite the verbal communication barriers, the two still find a way to get the message across.
“We understand each other as good as we need to,” says Dellacqua shortly after the pair snatched a semifinal place from Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Patty Schnyder with a come-from-behind 0-6 7-5 6-1 win.
“We try to understand each other, we communicate better now than at the French Open.”
Schiavone agrees: “I feel to play with her is great, she is not just a fantastic player but a good person. I think the human part is important, so I will ask again if she wants to play with me next Grand Slam.”
It was at Roland Garros last year that Dellacqua and Schiavone teamed up for the first time. And while conversation was difficult, the on-court chemistry was stronger than any verbal bond.
The pair had an astonishing run to the finals where they knocked out the No.3, 6, 7 and 16 seeds before going down in three sets in the final to Spanish 10th seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual.
Since then they’ve only played in one tournament (in Tokyo where they made the semis) but have managed to rekindle their Parisian spirit in Melbourne.
Dellacqua and Schiavone, No.12 seeds, surprised the No.7 seeds on their way to the semis and with the No.1 seeds Black and Huber knocked out in the quarters, the draw has opened up significantly.
There is just one small obstacle to overcome before the final though. The Williams sisters.
Venus and Serena have one of the most impressive doubles records in majors. Together, they’ve won seven majors, including the Australian Open in 2001 and 2003, and two Olympic gold medals.
As the tournament’s No.10 seeds, they’ve disposed of the No.5 and No.16 duos en route to the semis.
This will be no easy match.
The Americans have only lost one set to this point and have been playing some imposing tennis.
Dellacqua and Schiavone have also only lost one set so far, which was in their quarterfinal match against Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Patty Schnyder.
Discussing possible semifinal opponents shortly after their quarterfinal win, Dellacqua insisted that she and Schiavone were ready for anything.
“It’s great to be in the semis, the first time we played together was at the French Open and we made the final and we’ve only played one other tournament together since then.
“I have great fun playing with Francesca and whoever we play next round, if it is the Williams sisters, we’ll go out there, put a game plan together and try to execute it as best we can as a team.”
*Dellacqua/Schiavone play the Williams sisters on Margaret Court Arena later today.
Good seats are available for tonight's blockbuster match between Andy Roddick and Roger Federer and also to the women's semifinals on Rod Laver Arena. Keep cool watching tennis with the roof closed. Buy tickets.
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