Intro:

Maria Sharapova reached her third successive French Open final on Thursday (June 5th) with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Eugenie Bouchard.

Script:

Maria Sharapova beat Eugenie Bouchard 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to reach her third successive French Open final on Thursday.

But it was the 20-year old Canadian Bouchard, competing in a second successive Gran Slam semi-final, who started strongest to take the opening set 6-4.

Sharapova fought back in tight second set, breaking Bouchard's serve and demonstrating her power from the back of the court, to level things up at one set all.

And with former French Open finalist Kim Clijsters watching on in the crowd, Sharapova converted a fifth match point with a forehand that found the baseline, to complete a three set win.

The Russian remains on course for a second French Open title and will face Simona Halep or Andrea Petkovic in Saturday's final.