Defending French Open champion Maria Sharapova had to overcome 11 double faults to make a return to the finals, defeating Victoria Azarenka, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
"Those last few points are the toughest. I'm so happy that I regrouped and came out at 5-4 and served it out really well," said Sharapova. "To come back as the defending champion, it's extremely special to get back on that stage where it comes down to the last two players of the tournament."
Sharapova struggled early on, having double-faulted twice in the first game and was broken at love. Following a 35-minute rain delay, Sharapova's struggles continued as she hit four double-faults in a single game, the last of them on break point, to make it 2-all. She then squandered four match points and double-faulted on the final two points.
Sharapova would eventually find her range on the serve and finished off Azarenka with an ace down the middle. "The serve is definitely something that you never know what to expect," said Azarenka.
Sharapova is now 43-9 at Roland Garros - best among active women - but will face Serena Williams in Saturday's final. She has a 2-13 record against Williams.
"Obviously whatever I did in the past hasn't worked," said Sharapova. "So I'll have to try to do something different and hopefully it will."
Williams, the top-ranked player in the world, is playing in her first French Open final since 2002, after defeating Sara Errani in dominant fashion, 6-0, 6-1.
"I'm very happy to be back in the French Open final 11 years later," Williams told the crowd in French. "I'm still here 11 years later. It's so wonderful for me."
Williams' victory over Errani extends her career-best 30 consecutive match win streak. It was also the most lopsided women's semifinal at Roland Garros since 1984, when Chris Evert beat Camille Benjamin 6-0, 6-0.
"What she did today is unbelievable," said Errani. "She's very strong. She's an unbelievable player. She had great day."
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