French Open 2014: Maria Sharapova survives quarter-final scare to book semi-final
Tuesday 3 June 2014 17:08, UK
Maria Sharapova produced a resilient performance as she beat Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 1-6 7-5 6-1 to reach the French Open semi-finals on Tuesday.
The 2012 champion and last year's runner-up, who will meet Eugenie Bouchard in the last four, lost the first four games as she conceded the first set before regaining her composure.
An early break in the second set was all the Russian needed to gather momentum and Muguruza, who knocked out holder Serena Williams in the second round, never recovered.
Sharapova wrapped it up on the second match point when Muguruza netted a forehand.
"There was little I could do in the first set as Garbine was playing so well," said Sharapova who had also dropped the first set of her fourth round tie against Samantha Stosur.
"I needed to pick up my energy and start moving my feet. It was tough losing the final last year and it has given me greater motivation to go one step further this time."
The Russian will now face Bouchard in Thursday's semi-final after the Canadian overcame Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in three sets.
Bouncing back
Bouchard edged the first set on a tie-break but lost the second set before bouncing back to claim a 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 7-5 victory and book her place in the final four.
The 20-year-old Canadian is the only woman to reach the last four of both Grand Slams this season, after losing to Li Na in the Australian Open semi-finals in straight sets.
The only other Canadian to reach a Grand Slam semi-final was Carling Bassett at the US Open in 1984.
"I am just so happy right now, thanks to everyone, this is just completely unbelievable," Bouchard told a raucous crowd, many with Canadian flags on court Suzanne Lenglen.
"I'm so happy to spend a few more days in Paris and look forward to the semi-final. It feels a bit like home here."
