Open-Bartoli downs Kuznetsova to reach Paris semi-finals

PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) - Marion Bartoli became the first Frenchwoman to reach the French Open semi-finals since 2005 after she beat former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 6-4 on Tuesday.

The 11th-seeded Bartoli, whose best result at a grand slam was reaching the Wimbledon final in 2007, won the opening set tiebreak 7-4 after both players conceded three breaks each.

Bartoli then outraced the 13th-seeded Kuznetsova in the second set to seal the win when her opponent returned wide after one hour 53 minutes. Mary Pierce was the last Frenchwoman to reach the last four at Roland Garros.
Bartoli will face champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy for a place in Saturday’s final.