World No 2 Maria Sharapova defeated World No 4 Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic with 6-3, 6-3 scoreline in the semi-final match of  French Open 2012. 

The Russian secured a break in the fifth game of the first set and struck for the second time in the ninth game to close the set 6-3 in her favour. Sharapova served an ace and placed 12 winners in the middle. She also benefited from 9 unforced errors and one double fault made by Kvitova in the set.

Match Cast: Sharapova vs Kvitova

Sharapova secured a break at 3-1 in the second set but got herself broken in the next game. The Russian once again got herself in front as she broke Kvitova for the second time at 5-3 and then successfully served out for the match.

She now faces Italian Sara Errani, who edged past Samantha Stosur of Australia with 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 scoreline in another semi-final of the day.