Maria Sharapova fights her way through to the French Open semifinals

Maria Sharapova

Paris, June 3 (IANS) Maria Sharapova made a superb comeback, as she fought back from one set down to reach the French Open semifinal with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Garbine Muguruza.

Seventh seed Sharapova, the 2012 winner, seemed in trouble as she lost the first set in 27 minutes to 20-year-old Muguruza, who ousted defending champion Serena Williams in the second round.

But she produced an inspiring fight back, to grind down the Spanish player to win in two hours and six minutes.

The Russian then broke for 2-1 in the decider to lead for the first time in the match, and secured a second break in the fifth game after Muguruza hit the net to go 4-1 in front.

Muguruza was unable to fight back as Sharapova stormed to victory to book her place in the last four.

Sharapova will take on Eugenie Bouchard in the semifinal.

The 20-year-old Canadian beat Carla Suarez Navarro 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-5.