French Open: Garbine Muguruza advances to semi-final after defeating Maria Sharapova

Spanish tennis player Garbine Muguruza, world No. 3, won a decisive straight-set victory on Wednesday over Russia's Maria Sharapova 6-2, 6-1 and advanced to the French Open semifinals.

In her first win in four career encounters, Muguruza needed just one hour and 10 minutes to eliminate two-time French Open champion Sharapova, world No. 30.

For a shot at the final, the reigning Wimbledon title-holder is set to face world No. 1 Simona Halep of Romania, who beat Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-2.

French Open: Simona Halep survives grueling battle against Angelique Kerber to enter semi-final

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With this victory - with world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki's elimination in the last 16 round - Muguruza can take the top WTA position from Halep if she manages to reach the final in Paris.