French Open qualification now possible for former champ Schiavone

A wild card into Bogota might help former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone qualify for the main draw at this year’s tournament in Roland Garros.

The 2010 French Open champion had not won a match all season and dropped to No. 168 in the rankings; she needed to ask for a wild card just to play the small WTA International tournament in Bogota. She received one and went on to win the tournament, defeating three of the tour four seeds including an injured Lara Arruabarrena in the final.

The 35-year-old Italian leapt up and down on the court following the victory, and compared it to the biggest of her career, in Paris.

"In this moment I have memories of my championship in Roland Garros,” the Italian told local press. "I have always had very good performances on clay. It was too long since I won a title and I am very pleased to win again.

"It was a very good tournament for me here in Bogota. I felt very excited to be playing my game."

Schiavone's title run took her to No. 104 in the rankings, right on the edge of qualifying for the French Open main draw. The top 104 players qualify for the main draw at the cutoff, which is based off of this week’s rankings. But the number of players who actually qualify can be a little higher or lower than 104, based on the amount of withdrawals or protected ranking entries.

Schiavone did not receive a wild card into her home tournament at Rome, while Maria Sharapova and 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani received wild cards into the event.