Sharapova to Meet Serena for French Open Title

Maria Sharapova overcame 11 double-faults and beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinals of the 2013 French Open. Sharapova and Azarenka, two of the most notorious grunters in tennis, wailed with nearly every shot they took, but their shots were inconsistent with Sharapova’s unpredictable groundstrokes and erratic second serve. The second seeded Sharapova served 12 aces and 11 double faults during the match. The four-time Grand Slam champion dropped serve in the first game before flying through the opener which lasted less than a half hour.

Azarenka, a two-time Austrailian Open champion, began to take the second set, but lost momentum after a 30-minute rain delay. Sharapova finished strong with an ace on her fifth match point after two hours and 10 minutes.

Sharapova will face Serena Williams in the finals on Saturday. Serena did not remain at Roland Garros for long on Thursday as she beat 2012 French Open runner-up Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1. Serena will move on to the French Open final for the first time since 2002. Serena came out on top in just 46 minutes during the most one-sided semifinal win at the clay court Grand Slam since Chris Evert defeated Camille Benjamin 6-0, 6-0 in 1984.

Serena, who owns one Suzanne Lenglen Cup among 15 Grand Slam trophies, left Errani down and out after producing 40 screaming winners. Errani won 16 points during the entire match and did not manage a winning shot until the 10th game.

Serena holds a 13-2 lifetime record against Sharapova and is a perfect 3-0 on clay against her.

Sharapova vs. Serena Head-toHead 

►May 2013 (Madrid) Williams 6-1, 6-4 (clay)

►March 2013 (Miami) Williams 4-6, 6-3, 6-0

►February 2013 (Doha) Williams 6-3, 6-2

►October 2012 (Istanbul) Williams 6-4, 6-3

►August 2012 (London) Williams 6-0, 6-1

►May 2012 (Madrid) Williams 6-1, 6-3 (Clay)

►July 2011 (Stanford) Williams 6-1, 6-3

►June 2010 (Wimbledon) Williams 7-6(9), 6-4

►April 2008 (Charleston) Williams 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 (Clay)

►March 2007 (Miami) Williams 6-1, 6-1

►January 2007 (Australian Open) Williams 6-1, 6-2

►January 2005 (Australian Open) Williams 2-6, 7-5, 8-6

►November 2004 (Los Angeles) Sharapova 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

►July 2004 (Wimbledon) Sharapova 6-1, 6-4

►March 2004 (Miami) Williams 6-4, 6-3