Maria Sharapova has progressed to the final of the French Open after a 6-1 2-6 6-4 victory over Victoria Azarenka.
The defending champion made a poor start, hitting two unforced errors to allow Azarenka to break in the first game. However, Sharapova fought back with an immediate break and began to dominate proceedings.
The world number two broke Azarenka's serve twice, winning four games in a row to race into a 5-1 lead. She then held serve to take the opening set 6-1 in just 28 minutes.
Azarenka improved during the second set, breaking Sharapova in the sixth game to establish a two-game advantage. With the score at 5-2, the Belaurusian took advantage of two set points to take the match into a deciding set.
Sharapova broke twice in the third set after several unforced errors from Azarenka. However, the number two seed failed to capitalise on four match points in the eighth game as a double fault allowed Azarenka to break.
Sharapova regained her form, serving out the set to love to reach her second successive final at Roland Garros.
Steven Toplis
