Na Defeats Sharapova in Straight Sets

Maria Sharapova

Li Na reached her second successive grand slam final as she beat Maria Sharapova in straight sets in the last four of the French Open.

The Chinese sixth seed, who lost out to Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open earlier in the year, saw off her opponent 6-4 7-5 at Roland Garros.

it put an end to Sharapova's hopes of claiming the only grand slam crown to elude her in what was her first major semi-final appearance since 2009.

The Russian - who has fought back to form after a long spell out with a shoulder problem - was repeatedly let down by her serve against Na, especially on the big points, as she produced ten double-faults.

She found herself trailing from the off as Na claimed an early break and backed it up to move into a 3-0 lead.

Fought back

But Sharapova fought her way back into the contest with her heavy groundstrokes increasingly finding their mark.

She broke back to move within one at 3-4 and, having lost her serve again, dug deep for another break to pull back to 4-5.

But needing to hold her serve to stay in the set she broke down in spectacular style with a couple of doubles gifting her rival the game and set.

It was Na's turn to falter on serve in the second as a double handed Sharapova the early impetus with a break.

But, somewhat predictably, the Russian returned the favour to level the scores at 4-4 and the contest then remained on serve as Na edged 6-5 ahead.

At that point Sharapova's delivery again came undone on the windy Philippe Chatrier Court, and after Na had forced two match points, she gifted her rival a passage through to the final with another weak double.