Francesca Schiavone defeatedSamantha Stosur in the final, 6–4, 7–6(7–2) to win the women's singles tennis title at the2010 French Open. It was her first and onlymajor singles title, becoming the first Italian woman to win a singles major. Schiavone was the first woman in theOpen Era to win the title without being a top-10 seed. The final was also a rematch of the pair's first-round match from the previous year. With the win, Schiavone made her top 10 debut in therankings.[1][2] She remains the last woman with aone-handed backhand to win a singles major.
With the loss ofSerena Williams in the quarterfinals, a first-time major champion was guaranteed. This was the first major since the1979 Australian Open where none of the semifinalists had previously won a major title, and the final was the first since the2004 tournament to feature two first-time major finalists.[3]
This tournament marked the lastFrench Open appearance of four-time championJustine Henin, who was defeated by Stosur in the fourth round.[4] It was also the major debut of future world No. 1 and two-time major championSimona Halep, who was defeated by Stosur in the first round.