Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova is wary of her French Open final opponent Sara Errani despite the Italian's lowly status, Sharapova said Friday.
Italian 21st seed Errani upset three higher-seeded players on her way to the final of the clay-court tournament, and scalped former French Open champions Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic.
Errani has only won tournaments at the WTA International level, the lowest tier of the women's tennis tour, but won three of them this season, all on clay.
"We've never even played, but I know that she is a very dangerous opponent. Firstly, she's playing here in the final, which already speaks for itself. Second, she's having a great clay season," Sharapova said.
The Russian has won all the Grand Slam tournaments bar the French Open, but her previous success does not make her first final at Roland Garros any less special, she said, adding that it had been her dream "for years".
Reaching the final ensures Sharapova takes the world No. 1 spot from Victoria Azarenka for the first time since a long injury layoff in 2008 and 2009 saw her drop out of the top 100, but she will only think about the achievement after the French Open ends, she said.
"When I wake up Monday morning with the realization that I've achieved my goal, I'll be incredibly happy."
A win would make Sharapova only the 10th player in women’s tennis history to achieve the career Grand Slam of wins at all four major tournaments.
Errani will play in two French Open finals this weekend after she and partner Roberta Vinci won their women’s doubles semifinal Wednesday to face the Russian pair of Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova in the final.
