[ViaxobbimeVar]

Roland Garros 2011
Schedule for Day 12: Thursday, 2 June 2011 Women's Semi Finals

Court Philippe Chatrier 2:00 PM Start Time

1.Women's Singles - Semifinals
Na Li (CHN)[6] v.Maria Sharapova (RUS)[7]
2.Women's Singles - Semifinals
Marion Bartoli (FRA)[11] v.Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[5]

[Nosmas]

Li is already ahead?

[Maribellin]

C'mon Na Li. You were so endearing throughout the Australian, I think it would be wonderful for tennis for you to get another Slam final.

[estelle]

Li's really exposing Sharapova's poor clay movement. If she keeps her errors under control, she should win this in straights.

[CuittisIL]

The wind is also playing a factor I think, especially on the near end of the court. Li seems to be able to hit through the wind because her footwork seems to be a lot better that Maria. She seems to be consistantly giving herself enough space to hit cleanly.

[CuittisIL]

Li's really exposing Sharapova's poor clay movement. If she keeps her errors under control, she should win this in straights.

Yep, that error count has to stay down!!

[UpperMan]

Either way, whoever wins this match is who I want to win the tournament. It seems like both are having problems with their errors today.

[estelle]

Yeah, I think it's going to come down to whether or not Na can keep the errors down and keep Maria moving. If she can do both, she'll win. If not, Maria will take it, I suspect that the nerves will eventually kick in and Sharapova will take this match- that girl is made of steel.

[Maribellin]

Yeah, I think it's going to come down to whether or not Na can keep the errors down and keep Maria moving. If she can do both, she'll win. If not, Maria will take it, I suspect that the nerves will eventually kick in and Sharapova will take this match- that girl is made of steel.

If I am Maria, I watched that AO final a couple of times, and right about now I am working on a strategy to rattle Na.

[CuittisIL]

Yeah, I think it's going to come down to whether or not Na can keep the errors down and keep Maria moving. If she can do both, she'll win. If not, Maria will take it, I suspect that the nerves will eventually kick in and Sharapova will take this match- that girl is made of steel.

I'd agree with that. I know that 3 of the last 4 Women are some of the most mentally strong on tour. I'm hoping Li allows me to add her to that list

[Romobencience]

I don't know if I'm supposed to say this about women around 30, but a Li-Schiavone final would be too cute.

[CuittisIL]

I don't know if I'm supposed to say this about women around 30, but a Li-Schiavone final would be too cute.

Wouldn't it though?

I also think having Bartoli in the final would be massive. The crowd would be crazy!

[estelle]

Maria needs to really start nailing these first serves harder in order to win, that was two limp first serves and two double faults to give Li the break back. Though, I suppose errorNa gave Maria the break in the first place.

This should be interesting.

ETA: The wind looks HORRIBLE. Perfect camera shot to see a huge dust cloud blow into Li's face. Sucks.

[CuittisIL]

OMG she came to net...I'm flabbergasted!!

[CuittisIL]

Maria needs to really start nailing these first serves harder in order to win, that was two limp first serves and two double faults to give Li the break back. Though, I suppose errorNa gave Maria the break in the first place.

This should be interesting.

ETA: The wind looks HORRIBLE. Perfect camera shot to see a huge dust cloud blow into Li's face. Sucks.

I think that is what is causing Maria the most trouble. The wind was effecting the toss and causing issues from the ground.

Edit: that last DF from the far court may just be the case of pressing.

[estelle]

This is a very good match, very little gifting, I'm both surprised and impressed, this could've been easily a huge mess.

[CuittisIL]

I think you could have predicted that DF from the near end of the court, but too bad it had to end that way

But GO NA LI!!!!!

[Finkevannon]

YES! Li Na is quickly becoming my new favorite player.

[slima]

OMG that serve.

But Na winning the tournament would be awesome.

[estelle]

Very unfortunate that it ended that way, but honestly, Sharapova needs to work on her clay movement if she wants to take RG. These commentators make it seem like it was all nerves and wind- but really, Li really highlighted that she just can't move fast enough and position herself to hit a good return.

Also, Na's a really good at interviewing. She's very endearing, as usual.