Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka are set to clash in what will be an ear-drum breaking semifinal match between two of the nosiest tennis players in the world on Thursday at the 2013 French Open.
Sharapova, fresh from overcoming a spirited challenge from former world's no.1 Jelena Jankovic 0-6, 6-4, 6-3 in an adrenaline-draining quarterfinal clash, is headed for another daunting task as she takes on reigning Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.
Looking for a back-to-back title at Roland Garros, the Russian beauty needs to bring her finest game against the player who has been a thorn to her in the past couple of years.
Azarenka, who holds a 7-5 head-to-head record, is coming off a straight set victory over Russian star Maria Kirilenko 7-6 (3), 6-2 to reach the semifinal round of the clay-court tournament for the first time in his career.
According to New York Time sports columnist Judy Battista, tennis fans will be treated to a noisy semifinal clash between Sharapova and Azarenka, who are notorious for their high-pitch shriekers.
Meanwhile in the other semifinal match, Serena Williams will try to move a step closer towards capturing her second French Open title when he plays last year's Roland Garros runner-up Sara Errani.
Williams dominated the playing field with her sheer power and talent through the first four rounds before she pulled out a hard-earned win against two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 3-6 6-3.
Errani, on the other hand, pulled off an upset win against Poland's Agnieska Radwanska 6-4 7-6(6) to secure her place in the French Open semis for the second straight year.
"I never expected to get to the semifinals this year after making last year's final. There was a lot of pressure this year and I'm happy that I was able to handle it," Errani told reporters after her win, according to the Associated Press. "We'll see how the semifinal goes."
Sharapova and Azarenka will take center court first for a spot in the final while the winner of the succeeding match between Williams and Errani complete the participants for Saturday's championship round.
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