体坛英语新闻：Defending champion Sharapova to fight Serena at French Open final

PARIS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Maria Sharapova will fight for the French Open title against world No. 1 Serena Williams after they defeated Victoria Azarenka and Sara Errani respectively to enter the final on Thursday.

Russian Sharapova, the third seed, won the first set 6-1 in only 28 minutes over the second-seeded Belarussian Azarenka, 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.

Top seed and world No. 1 Williams entered her first French Open final for over a decade after crushing last year's runner-up Errani of Italy in straight sets.

The 15-time Grand Slam champion, who won her only French Open in 2002, took only 46 minutes for a 6-0, 6-1 win and reached her 20th major final.

In the last 12 months, Williams is 73-3, including titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the London Olympics.

"Against Maria (Sharapova), I will have to prepare slightly differently. She's a great player. But it's magnificent to be back in the final after 11 years," said the American.

Sharapova said: "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."