Muguruza and Halep to meet in semis

Garbiñe Muguruza (3) began her 2018 Roland Garros quarter final against Maria Sharapova (28) well, taking the opening set 6-2.

A break in set two and she was ahead 2-1.

A forehand winner followed a big serve and 30-0.  Sharapova forced an error but not enough to prevent the consolidation of the break and the Spaniard led 3-1.

A backhand winner from the third seed received a Sharapova forehand put away reply. However, a sixth double fault and a netted Russian forehand presented Muguruza with a pair of break points.

Sharapova repeated her forehand into the net and Muguruza now had a double break 4-1.

Another big first serve and then an ace and Muguruza had 30-0.  40-0 after a second service winner.

5-1 followed when Maria found the net once more.

A net cord saw the ball go wide and a good return forced a Sharapova error.  0-30.

An errant Russian backhand brought up two match points for the 2016 champion.  One saved with an ace.  Not the second though.

Garbiñe Muguruza won 6-2 6-1, her first victory over Sharapova in four meetings.

Now a semi finalist, the third seed will take on the winner of the quarter final between Simona Halep (1) and Angie Kerber (12).

That match saw Kerber win the opening set in a tie break 7-6(2).

Halep, as always, came charging back, and led 4-2 with a break in set two.

The top seed defeated Kerber en route to the Australian Open final earlier this year.

A successful drop shot from Kerber and then a forehand winner brought her back to 30-30.  A second sizzling forehand and game point.

Service held and 4-3 Halep.

Exchanging errors, it was 15-15.  A second from Halep and 15-30.  30-30 after the Romanian forced Kerber all over the court and into ultimate mistake.

A double fault, though secured a break point for the German player.

Saved by a loose backhand from Kerber.

Game point saved through a winning Kerber forehand down the line.

Game won with a magic reply to a beautiful drop shot from Kerber.

5-3 Halep.

A backhand winner from Halep and 0-30.  A double fault and three set points for the top seed.  All saved through Romanian errors.

Another chance presented.  A double fault and the set to Halep 6-3.

A third set was required and Simona would have the advantage of serving first.

The pair traded breaks in the decider for Halep to lead 2-1.  Kerber received treatment on her foot which seemed to be restricting her movement.

Halep reached a drop shot and passed Kerber for 15-30.  Then an error from Angie gifted two break points to Simona.  Both saved.  But not a third and Halep led 3-1.

Kerber, clearly struggling with her injury, was attempting to shorten the points, but with not much success as Halep ran through the next service game easily to extend her advantage 4-1.

A good game from Kerber, sealed with an ace, took her to 2-4.

Halep held serve in an error riddled game and she was a game away from the semis.

Errors from Kerber outweighed her great angled forehand winner and Halep had a match point. It was converted through a final German error and Simona Halep won 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2.

The semi final will be against Garbiñe Muguruza who leads the head to head battle 3-1, their most recent meeting in Cincinnati last year where Muguruza won 6-1 6-0.