French Open: Li Na beats Maria Sharapova to make final

French Open

• Venue: Roland Garros, Paris
• Date: 22 May - 5 June
• Coverage: Watch live on BBC Red Button/online (UK only) & text commentary (#bbctennis) on BBC Sport website from 1000 BST; daily highlights programme on BBC Two; updates & commentary on BBC Radio 5 live/5 live sports extra

Li had never previously been past the fourth round in Paris

Li Na produced an assured performance to see off Maria Sharapova in straight sets and reach the French Open final.

The sixth seed punished her opponent for an error-strewn display, triumphing 6-4 7-5 in one hour and 48 minutes.
Sharapova hit 10 double-faults as Li, runner-up at the Australian Open, became the first Chinese player to advance to the Roland Garros showpiece.
On Saturday, Li will play the winner of the second semi-final between Francesca Schiavone and Marion Bartoli.
"She had a huge big serve so I thought please double fault so I can win the match," said the 29-year-old in a courtside interview straight after her victory.
"I never believed myself that I could be in the French Open final, I wish I can do even better in Saturday's final.
"Both players are tough so I will watch them later and just enjoy the day and then get ready."
Li will be full of confidence having seen off Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka and now seventh seed Sharapova en route to Saturday's final.
Sharapova was bidding to complete the set of Grand Slam titles and, after thrashing Andrea Petkovic in the quarter-finals, the Russian arrived as firm favourite.
Li had won their previous two meetings but the most recent of those came on grass in 2010 and she had never won a clay-court event, while Sharapova lifted the Rome title in the build-up to Roland Garros.
However, it was Li who got off to the better start on a windswept court Philippe Chatrier, racing into a 3-0 lead.
Sharapova pegged her back to 4-3 and then 5-4 but she could not hold on to her serve, throwing in five double-faults in the set and missing a simple forehand on set point.
The 24-year-old seemed to have turned things around with an early break in the second set but her serving demons were never far away and a seventh double-fault helped Li to level at 4-4.
Li was now firmly in the ascendancy and, with Sharapova serving to stay in the match for a second time, Li created two set points, taking the first on Sharapova's 10th double fault.