Sharapova advances to French Open semifinals

Russia’s Maria Sharapova celebrates scoring a point during the quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis tournament against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Tuesday, June 3, 2014. AP

PARIS — Maria Sharapova advanced to the semifinals of the French Open for the fourth straight year, beating Garbine Muguruza of Spain 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 Tuesday.

The seventh-seeded Russian made a slow start on Court Philippe Chatrier, falling behind 4-0 before finally winning a game. She then started to land her shots, and her serves, with more consistency and won nine of the last 10 games.

Muguruza, who was playing in a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time in her career, eliminated defending champion Serena Williams in the second round.

Sharapova lost in the semifinals at Roland Garros in 2011, then won the title a year later to complete a career Grand Slam. She lost in last year’s final to Williams.

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