Maria Sharapova regained the world No1 ranking as she moved into her first French Open Final, offering her the chance to become only the 10th woman to win all four Grand Slams.
The Russian will meet No21 seed Sara Errani tomorrow following her hugely impressive victory over fourth-seeded Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6‑3 — avenging her Wimbledon Final defeat last year.
After a four-year break, Sharapova, 25, is once again the best player in the sport, having battled back from shoulder surgery that threatened her career. She said: “I’ve played tennis since I was four. I committed myself to this sport and I’ve always loved what I did and when it was taken away from me for a while, that’s when I realised how grateful I was and how lucky I was to be playing it.
“So to be at a level to get to No1 in the world and a first Roland Garros final makes it a very special day.”
Sharapova — who won Wimbledon in 2004, the US Open in 2006 and the Australian Open two years later — faces an Italian who is in her first Grand Slam final.
Errani will try to repeat the French title win of compatriot Francesca Schiavone two years ago and said: “It’s incredible for me — I didn’t expect it. I’m here and I don’t feel like a top-10 player but I will be, so it’s a strange sensation.”
