PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - Li Na and Marion Bartoli carry the weight of their nations on Thursday when they take on three-times grand slam champion Maria Sharapova and holder Francesca Schiavone respectively in the French Open semi-finals.
Sharapova, the most experienced woman left in the draw with a title at each of the other three grand slams, continues her quest for a first Suzanne Lenglen Cup against Li Na and millions of Chinese fans watching at home.
January’s Australian Open runnerup Li said she was hugely surprised to have gone so far in the only clay court grand slam but she has as good a chance as anyone of scooping the title given her never-say-die attitude.
“Many people think I’m not so good on clay courts, but I think now they should change their mind a little bit,” Li smiled to reporters after dispatching fourth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 7-5 6-2 in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
Sixth seed Li is attempting to become the first Chinese or Asian player to win a grand slam singles title while Bartoli is fighting to be the first Frenchwoman to reach the French Open final since Mary Pierce in 2005.
The 11th seed has kept her cool while the top four women’s seeds have fallen away at Roland Garros and now faces fellow battler Schiavone on Court Philippe Chatrier hoping the packed and partisan crowd can spur her on.
The mixed doubles final, the first showpiece of the two-week tournament, also takes place on Thursday when top seeds Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia and Serbia’s Nenad Zimonjic tackle Casey Dellacqua of Australia and American Scott Lipsky.
The men’s singles semi-finals are on Friday when five-times champion Rafa Nadal clashes with fourth seed Andy Murray and second seed Novak Djokovic plays Swiss maestro Roger Federer.
Sharapova, the most experienced woman left in the draw with a title at each of the other three grand slams, continues her quest for a first Suzanne Lenglen Cup against Li Na and millions of Chinese fans watching at home.
January’s Australian Open runnerup Li said she was hugely surprised to have gone so far in the only clay court grand slam but she has as good a chance as anyone of scooping the title given her never-say-die attitude.
“Many people think I’m not so good on clay courts, but I think now they should change their mind a little bit,” Li smiled to reporters after dispatching fourth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 7-5 6-2 in Wednesday’s quarter-final.
Sixth seed Li is attempting to become the first Chinese or Asian player to win a grand slam singles title while Bartoli is fighting to be the first Frenchwoman to reach the French Open final since Mary Pierce in 2005.
The 11th seed has kept her cool while the top four women’s seeds have fallen away at Roland Garros and now faces fellow battler Schiavone on Court Philippe Chatrier hoping the packed and partisan crowd can spur her on.
The mixed doubles final, the first showpiece of the two-week tournament, also takes place on Thursday when top seeds Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia and Serbia’s Nenad Zimonjic tackle Casey Dellacqua of Australia and American Scott Lipsky.
The men’s singles semi-finals are on Friday when five-times champion Rafa Nadal clashes with fourth seed Andy Murray and second seed Novak Djokovic plays Swiss maestro Roger Federer.
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