The defending champion, Francesca Schiavone, will face China's Li Na in the women's French Open final on Saturday, after beating France's Marion Bartoli on Thursday.
The Italian, who had not reached a tournament final since she beat Samantha Stosur in Paris 12 months ago, turned on the style on Court Philippe Chatrier to defeat Bartoli, a former Wimbledon finalist, 6-3, 6-3. Earlier, Li had reached a second grand slam final in a row, following her loss to Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open, by beating Maria Sharapova 6-4, 7-5.
Schiavone and Bartoli coped better with the wind than Sharapova had and it was not until the eighth game that either really threatened a service break. Schiavone went on the offensive, using her spin and placement to pull Bartoli around the court, and she went 5-3 ahead with a brilliant angled forehand that the Frenchwoman could only watch. The fifth seed was playing well and she played her best game of the set to clinch it after 40 minutes.
Bartoli, enjoying by far her best run at a grand slam since she lost to Venus Williams in the Wimbledon final in 2007, came out fighting at the start of the second set and drew a huge roar from the crowd when she broke to lead 2-0. But she could not hold on to her advantage and Schiavone broke a second time, moving 4-3 in front. The greater variety of the 30-year-old's game, particularly her single-handed backhand, caused Bartoli problems.
Schiavone's supporters were greatly outnumbered but they were in fine voice and they were able to celebrate when Bartoli dumped a backhand into the net.