Unexpected Destiny Awaits Sharapova or Errani in Paris Finals

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images

(June 8, 2012) -- They weren't supposed to be here.

For Maria Sharapova and Sara Errani, a trip to the finals of the French Open seemed out of reach during the course of their careers. But now at the age of 25, both women have a chance to add their names to the history books and cap off yet another unpredictable two weeks on the terre battue.

Sharapova, who created her tennis empire first on the grass of Wimbledon and then on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows and Melbourne, often looked out of place on the red clay of Paris. Despite a semifinal appearance in 2007, many thought the Russian with her limited movement would never adapt to the changing surface of clay. But through sheer hard work and determination, Sharapova learned to like the dirt, letting the surface give her more time to set up her shots. After claiming the titles in Stuttgart and Rome this year, Sharapova became a prohibitive favorite to reach the finals of Paris, especially after her biggest obstacle, Serena Williams, tumbled out of the first round at the hands of Virginie Razzano.

With her semifinal win over Petra Kvitova, Sharapova assured she will be No. 1 again for the first time since 2008. A French Open title would complete a career Grand Slam for her, becoming only the tenth woman in history to achieve such a feat.

Errani, who grew up playing on clay, has seen her own transformation this season. Often viewed as the fourth wheel of the successful Italian Fed Cup team, Errani stayed mired in the top 50 while compatriots Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone reached the top ten. Errani, standing only 5'4", was seen as being too short and too defensive to ever be a real factor for the biggest prizes in the sport.

But with the help of a new longer racquet this year, Errani quietly began making strides up the ranks. First by reaching the quarters in Melbourne and then, after taking three clay court titles this season, she made her move against some of the biggest names on the tour. Her wins over former Roland Garros champions Ana Ivanovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova and former finalist Sam Stosur proved Errani is a more a complete player now, able to defend and attack when the opportunity presents itself. And now it will be Errani who will enter the top ten for the first time in her career and also be Italy's new No. 1.

Despite being the same age and having spent time in their early junior days at the Nick Bollettieri Academy, this will be the first ever meeting between Errani and Sharapova. Sharapova is the heavy favorite, but Errani has been the underdog in most of her matches these past two weeks and you can't count her out, especially if she's able to keep Sharapova on the run and force Sharapova to hit winners. But Sharapova's measured performance against Kvitova proved that she has learned patience on the clay. Something that could be key if Errani forces her into a three-set grind though Sharapova is also an impressive 8-0 this year in three set matches.

As in years past, the women with the two best results during the clay court season will battle for the title of the biggest clay court tournament. Both have seemed destined to get here with their performances over the past two weeks, but only one will walk away with a trophy that many thought would always be out of their reach.