Maria Sharapova cruises into semis

Maria Sharapova won her all-Russian battle with Anna Chakvetadze to reach the French Open semi-finals for the first time. The second seed, a 6-3 6-4 winner, will now face Ana Ivanovic in the last four.

Maria Sharapova drew first blood when she broke in the sixth game and then survived four break-back chances in the next game before holding for a 5-2 lead. She went on to take the first set 6-3 and when she broke in the first game of the second set she looked set to easy to victory. However, Chakvetadze was in no mood to lay down and broke back immediately - it was to be her only success of the Maria serve which stood up well given her recent shoulder injury.

The score moved on 4-3 at which point Sharapova moved up a gear to break once more before serving out for victory in an hour and 18 minutes. Asked if she was surprised to be in the last four for the first time, Sharapova replied: "I wouldn't say that. "I didn't come off court and go, 'Wow, I'm in the semi-finals'. "I have believed in myself with every round. I'm more proud and excited than surprised."