Maria Sharapova books her place in the French Open final for the third year in a row after beating up-and-coming Canadian Eugenie Bouchard. Struggling with her serve, Sharapova dropped the first set before playing deeper to level the contest, outrunning the 18th-seeded Bouchard in the third set. Sharapova has now won the last 19 matches in three sets she has played on clay since losing to Justine Henin in the third round at Roland Garros in 2010. Sharapova next faces Simona Halep after the Romanian beat Andrea Petkovic in straight sets in the other semi-final. Halep blazed through the opening set as her 28th-seeded opponent struggled with early nerves. – ANC Dateline Philippines, June 6, 2014