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Sharapova double-faults, Li into French Open final
June 2, 2011
Li Na of China holds her racket close to her face after missing a return against Maria Sharapova of Russia in the semi final match of the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday June 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
PARIS (AP) — Li Na beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 7-5 Thursday to become the first Chinese player to reach the French Open final.
The Australian Open runner-up will play either defending champion Francesca Schiavone or Marion Bartoli in Saturday's final.
Sharapova was bidding to complete a career Grand Slam this year at Roland Garros, the only major she has not won.
The sixth-seeded Li broke back to even the score at 4-4 in the second set. She held with a forehand winner before being handed the match when Sharapova double-faulted on the first match point.
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