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A blossoming love affair

Maria Sharapova struggled on serve against Li Na © Getty Images

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The Achilles heel
Maria Sharapova is a three-time grand slam winner so her career cannot be classed as a failure, but it could have been so much more had injuries and the Williams sisters not stepped in. Also, some of the blame for her failing to add more titles to her name falls on her own shoulders and the shoulder that sends down serves in particular. Prior to her serious injury in 2008, serving was a real problem for the Russian and things have not got any better since her return to the game. She has surged back up the rankings and is one of the cleanest hitters of a ball on tour. But the serve has always looked suspect under pressure and the old frailties reared up against Li Na. Sharapova sent down 10 double faults and two came in the final game as she crumbled under pressure.

Nothing a bit of retail therapy won't solve
A double fault on match point is hardly the most glamorous way to bow out of a tournament, but as Sharapova saw her bid to complete a career Grand Slam fade away for another year, the Russian admitted she had the perfect way to cheer herself up. Paris is well known to be the fashion capital of the world, and the former world No. 1 was planning on making up for lost time. "As an athlete you want to win. There's no doubt. But, you know, good retail therapy and I'll be fine." she said.

Making your mind up
Li is a confirmed fan of the hard courts, as she showed when reaching the final of the Australian Open, but she had no pedigree on the clay. Li came into the French Open with little form to her name, but she seems like a player capable of peaking on the big stage and after ousting Sharapova in the semi-finals the Chinese star revealed a love affair could be blossoming in Paris. "Clay court used to be terrible for me, but now I love it," Li said after her straight-sets win.

The Italian Job
Francesca Schiavone has proved a late developer on the world stage but she is on course for her second French Open title. The Italian is a crafty operator on clay and she needed all her skills to beat Marion Bartoli in the semis. Bartoli had the Paris crowd behind her, but Schiavone had a following of her own. They were not quite in the Barmy Army mould, but the Tifosi made themselves heard as they roared Schiavone on to a 6-3 6-3 win.

The French net
Bartoli was under pressure on serve during the second set. A break to the good, she was forced to scamper around the court by Schiavone and the defending champion earned a break point. Bartoli climbed into a forehand but surrendered accuracy for power and the ball hit the net. Fortunately for her and the Paris crowd, the ball flew into the air and dropped down on Schiavone's side - handing the Italian no play.

Back behind the mike
As Li and Schiavone booked their place in Saturday's final, seven-time champion Chris Evert confirmed she would be joining the ESPN team for Wimbledon. "I am really excited about working again in tennis as an analyst," Evert said. "I've been away from TV for 10 years because my priority was raising my three boys, and now that they are older it is the right time to join the exceptional tennis team at ESPN. I have many friends there and enjoy watching their coverage, so I look forward to getting back behind the microphone."

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