PARIS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Maria Sharapova defeated twice Australian Open titlist Victoria Azarenka to enter the final of the French Open here on Thursday.
Sharapova, the third seed, won the first set 6-1 in only 28 minutes over the second-seeded Belarussian, who has got only 18 percent of points on serve.
But the 24-year-old Azarenka, who has won 16 titles in her career against Sharapova's 29, played some best tennis in the second set compared with her worst in the first. She pulled the set back 6-2 in 39 minutes before the match was suspended because of rain.
Despite making some unforced errors and double faults, Sharapova fought off the hard work by Azarenka and wrapped up a tough set after 63 minutes. The whole match last two hours and 10 minutes.
Sharapova, 26, will meet in Saturday's final the winner of the other match between 2002 champion Serena Williams and Sara Errani, who will be held on the same court in a few minutes' time.