• French Open, Day 12

Errani stuns Stosur to reach French Open final

ESPN staff
June 7, 2012
Sara Errani is through to her first grand slam final © PA Photos
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Sara Errani remains on course for an unlikely double at the French Open after beating Sam Stosur to reach the final at Roland Garros.

Playing in her first grand slam semi-final, the Italian showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the occasion as she recovered from being outplayed in the second set to claim a 7-5 1-6 6-3 victory.

Having never made it past the second round at Roland Garros before, Errani has the chance to double up in Paris after reaching the women's doubles final with partner Roberta Vinci.

After heavy rain delayed the start of the first semi-final, Errani recovered from a shaky start, breaking back to love to get back on level terms. Errani, who has won three singles titles on the clay this season, managed to neutralise Stosur's power and was coming out on top of the longer rallies, and grabbed a late break after Stosur put a volley into the net.

She coolly served out the opener, but was helpless to prevent Stosur storming through the second set - the Australian hanging on to her serve in her opening service game before streaking to a 5-0 lead - hammering a huge forehand crosscourt winner to secure the double break.

With Stosur's forehand starting to fire, Errani looked to be in trouble as she held serve to avoid a bagel, but it merely delayed the enevitable as three aces helped Stosur see out the set with frightening efficiency.

But Errani, who toppled tenth seed Angelique Kerber and former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova en route to the last four, refused to give in, and raced to a 3-0 lead in the decider, only to be pegged back by the US Open champion.

Stosur was ultimately left to rue 48 unforced errors - a double fault followed by a wild forehand gifted Italian the break and the chance to serve for the match - Errani making no mistakes as she wrapped up the victory. She now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova in Saturday's final.

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