Li Na of China reacts after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia during their semi-final match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.
Li Na of China reacts after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia during their semi-final match at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. Reuters

Defending French Open Women's Champion Francesca Schiavone will face China's Li Na in the final at Roland Garros after both overcame their semifinal opponents.

In the first semifinal, China's Li Na coped better with the weather conditions than Maria Sharapova and won 6-4, 7-5 to give herself the chance of being the first Chinese to win a grand slam singles title.

Later on, Schiavone defeated local favorite Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-3 to progress and get the chance to retain her title she surprisingly won 12 months ago. Bartoli double-faulted while serving to stay in the match, before sending her backhand into the net as Schiavone celebrated with her small group of supporters.

In the first semi, Li exploited Sharapova's movement problems on clay to race into a 3-0 lead. Sharapova broke back, but Li held the crucial serve to take the set 6-4. In the second, Sharapova double-faulted at 4-4 to hand the initiative to Li, who made no mistake.

Afterwards, Li said, She had a huge big serve so I thought please double fault so I can win the match. I never believed myself that I could be in the French Open final. I wish I can do even better in Saturday's final. It was a tough match.

Of the wind which hampered her game, Sharapova said, It's tough for me, it's tough for her, it's tough for both of us. At times I didn't serve well and was rushing more than maybe I had to, and maybe went for - considering the conditions - too big second serves, especially.

China