- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Maria Sharapova of Russia made it back into the French Open final for the third straight year, beating Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the semi-finals.
She will take on Romania’s Simona Halep, a first-time Grand Slam finalist.
Sharapova struggled on clay early in her career. In fact, she once described herself as a “cow on ice” on clay.
None of her first 18 titles were on clay, but 9 of her past 13 titles have come on this surface, including her 2014 titles at Stuttgart and Madrid.
The French Open is now her most successful Grand Slam tournament of the past five years. She claimed her only French Open title in 2012, beating Sara Errani to complete her career Grand Slam.
She later reached the final stage of last year’s tournament, eventually losing to Serena Williams.
With her hard-fought win over Bouchard, a 20-year-old Canadian at her second French Open, Sharapova earned a spot in the final for the third consecutive year. The last female player to reach three straight French Open finals was Justin Henin from 2005-2007.
In the other semi-final match, fourth seed Simona Halep faced Andrea Petkovic (28) of Germany. Both players were in the semi-final stage of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, and Halep knocked out Petkovic 6-2, 7-6 to reach the final.
The 22-year-old Romanian has risen considerably in the rankings over the past 12 months and was named the WTA’s Most Improved Player. She has already broken into the top four this year and is having a solid 2014 to date.
Sharapova leads Halep 3-0 in their head-to-head record. The pair recently met in the Madrid final, where the Russian triumphed 1-6, 6-2, 6-3. Sharapova’s other two wins over Halep come on the hard surfaces of Indian Wells and Beijing in 2012.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.