Aussie Sam Stosur is one match away from reaching her second French Open final, but in her way is the giant-killing Italian Sara Errani. Join us for live scores and commentary from 10:00pm AEST.
After a disappointing performance at the Australian Open earlier this year, Stosur has rediscovered her best form on the clay courts of Paris and is well on course to reach her second French Open decider.
Stosur has yet to drop a set at the French Open thus far and has an imposing 5-0 winning record against semi-final opponent Errani.
The Australian’s last victory over Errani came at this year’s Rome Masters where she won a difficult encounter 6-3, 7-5.
Despite her dominant record against Errani, Stosur must be braced for an onslaught from the Italian, who is in career best form.
Errani has already dispatched former French Open champions Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova this week, and also knocked out no. 10 seed Angelique Kerber of Germany.
Stosur, meanwhile, has had the easier draw to the semi-finals, but her supremacy over her recent opponents has to be desired.
The Australian usually struggles with favouritism but her recent performances thus far suggest that she is coping with expectations well.
Stosur’s straight sets victories over Elena Baltacha, Irina Falconi, Nadia Petrova, Sloane Stephens and Dominika Cibulkova showcases that she is now able to put her foot on the accelerator and finish off her lower ranked opponents quickly.
Prediction:
Stosur will start favourite against Errani tonight but don’t be surprised if this match ends up going the distance.
Errani’s movement around the court has been a key feature of her recent success, and she will look to frustrate Stosur’s ball striking by producing lengthy rallies.
Stosur on the other hand will look to keep rallies short. At her best, no player on the WTA tour hits the ball as cleanly as Stosur, particularly off the forehand side.
If Stosur is able to find her range from the baseline, the Australian should have enough firepower to control proceedings against Errani.
In a match of contrasting styles, this promises to be an intense and closely fought French Open semi-final.
Stosur has the power and experience but Errani has confidence given that she has already produced several upset victories this week.
Although the Italian’s movement will test Stosur, the Australian has enough in her arsenal to secure a tough semi-final victory.
Stosur in three sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Like Schiavone before her, Errani has done an Italian job on Stosur today. Stosur was too up and down throughout the contest and was continually frustrated by Errani's constant ability to defend well and produce solid groundstrokes from the baseline. Stosur did serve well today, producing 11 aces but her groundstrokes left alot to be desired. Her forehand and backhand shots were awful at times, framing numerous shots while under no pressure whatsoever. Stosur also netted alot of backhands into the net. Overall, Stosur should be dissapointed with her performance here and will rue another chance gone begging at the French Open. Errani deserved to win today. She was by far the more solid player and produced the right shots at the right time. Thanks for joining us for this live blog and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar. FINAL SCORE: Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 6
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH ERRANI - Errani with a forehand winner has defeated Stosur in the semi-finals and she makes her maiden French Open final. Congratulations Errani. FINAL SCORE: Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Long rally here ends with another unforced error from Stosur and Errani now has three match points.... Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Terrible forehand miss from Stosur and its 30-0 Errani Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Great play from Errani as she produces strong forehands and then approaches at the net with a nice volley. 15-0 Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 5
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK ERRANI - Stosur sends a forehand long and Errani will now serve for a place in the French Open final. Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault from Stosur and she gifts another break point for Errani. Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Great backhand winner down the line from Stosur and she saves two break points here. Big play and its back to deuce. Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Errani with a bad forehand miss and its 30-40. Errani though still has a break point here... Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Three break points for Errani now as the Italian produces a nice return. Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Stosur with some strong forehands there and its 30-15. Good play from Stosur but she has put herself under pressure here... Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Great defence from Errani and Stosur once again produces a bad forehand that goes wide. 0-30 Errani and the Italian is turning the screws now Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Stosur with a terrible forehand miss with the court at her mercy. 0-15 Errani and that could come back to bite Stosur... Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME ERRANI - Errani holds easily as Stosur nets a backhand into the net. Stosur now has to hold here to avoid Errani serving it out. Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Errani with another forehand winner and its 40-0 Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Superb backhand from Errani as she reads Stosur's approach to the net. Too good from the Italian. 30-0 Errani Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Stosur with a bad return and its 15-0 Errani Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Game point Stosur now as Errani sends a backhand wide. Big point here for Stosur now to even up proceedings. GAME STOSUR - Stosur with a forehand winner and its 3 all now. Stosur 5 6 3 Errani 7 1 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Stosur does well as she produces a forehand winner under pressure and its back to deuce. Stosur 5 6 2 Errani 7 1 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Great drop shot from Errani here and she now has another break point here. Massive few games coming up for Stosur now.... Stosur 5 6 2 Errani 7 1 3