Returning to the French Open semifinals for the first time since 2003, top-seeded Serena Williams will face a big test in 2012 Open runner-up Sara Errani. Williams defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinal round while Italian superstar Sara Errani disposed of Agnieska Radwanska in 2 set fashion.
When and Where to Watch Semifinal Match
With an action-packed day of tennis that includes the Mixed Doubles Championship, Serena Williams and Sara Errani will meet on Thursday, June 6 in the Women's semifinals. The match is set to begin at 11 a.m., EDT with on-line coverage available through ESPN3.com. Television coverage of the women's semifinals will start at 9am, EDT on ESPN2.
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Road to the Semifinals - Serena Williams
Playing as well as she has at any time during her career, World No. 1 Serena Williams has absolutely dominated the competition in French Open play this season. Opening her title quest with a first round match-up against Georgia native Anna Tatishvilli, Williams rolled over the unseeded 23-year-old in quick fashion, 6-0, 6-1. Moving along to the second round, Serena Williams once again showed why she's the best in the world, disposing of Caroline Garcia 6-1, 6-2, barely breaking a sweat.
The 2002 French Open champion took down her next two opponents with a total domination as well, ending Sorana Cirstea's tournament 6-0, 6-2 in the third round before knocking out No. 15 Roberta Vinci in two quick sets during the fourth round. Reaching another quarterfinal, Williams finally received something of a challenge when she met Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova.
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Breezing through the first frame in 6-1 fashion, Williams lost her only set of the tournament during the next series, falling to the unseeded Russian 3-6. Now in danger of being knocked out of the tournament, Williams mustered up every ounce of strength and determination she had, holding on for a 6-3 third set win over the extremely talented Kuznetsova.
"Today I was so determined to get through that," Williams said to the New York Times when asked about the tough final set. "And I really, really, really, really wanted it more than I think anyone. You know, I just got tired of losing in the quarters. It's enough."
Williams will now prepare for her first semifinal match in 10 seasons as she prepares to take on Italy's Sara Errani, a 26-year-old superstar who has already shown the ability to compete at a high level in the Roland Garros tournament.
Road to the Semifinals - Sara Errani
Falling to Maria Sharapova in her only grand slam final in last year's French, Sara Errani may be the one who is finally able to take down Serena Williams this year.
Errani made quick work of Arantxa Rus in the first round before taking down Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 6-1 in the second round. Playing at a high level and looking fully capable of winning the 2013 title, Errani met Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the third round. While Lisicki put up a formidable fight in the second set, Errani closed out the match in two set fashion, advancing to the fourth stage on the strength of a 6-0, 6-4 triumph.
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The fourth round created the only stumble for an otherwise perfect tournament for Errani when she met Spanish star Carla Suarez Navarro. Ranked 20th in the tournament field, Navarro closed the first set out in 7-5 fashion but was unable to hang on after taking the 1-0 lead. Errani evented the battle at one set apiece with a 6-4 win in the second frame and then advanced to the quarterfinals behind a strong 6-3 victory in the third and deciding set.
Matched up with Polish superstar and No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska, Sara Errani didn't miss a beat, staying ahead of Radwanska while never allowing her to control the tempo of the match. Winning the first set 6-4, Errani held off a second-set charge by her opponent, eventually closing the battle out in a 7-6 (8-6) tiebreaking victory.
Semifinal Wrap-Up
With Serena Williams looking to get back to the French Final for the first time since winning the championship in 2003 and Sara Errani looking to build off her runner-up performance from 2012, this semifinal match-up between two of the best players in the world should not disappoint.
Be sure to catch all the action in this Women's French Open semifinal on Thursday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m., EDT. Television coverage will be provided by ESPN2 with an on-line live stream available through ESPN3.com.
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