Two of the loudest and most talented players in the women's circuit - Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka -- will clash in the semifinals of the French Open on Thursday.
Sharapova is on course for defending her Roland Garros title after overcoming a terrible opening set, which she lost without winning a single game, before eventually prevailing over Serbian Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals.
The Russian has otherwise looked pretty comfortable in this year's French Open, and will start as the marginal favorite against Azarenka, who is yet to prove herself on the clay courts at Roland Garros.
"We have played each other so many times there are really no secrets between each other in terms of our game styles and what we do well and not," Sharapova, who has a record of 5-7 against Azarenka, said of the semifinal match.
"She's playing really well this tournament. It's always a tough match."
Azarenka also negotiated a tricky encounter against good friend Maria Kirilenko in the quarterfinals, the Australian Open champion's former doubles partner.
"One or two points really decided the first set, especially the beginning of the tiebreak," Azarenka said. "The way I started was really dominant.
"We are pretty close friends. I'm always happy to see her. We talk outside the court, as well.
"Of course on court it's all about, you know, winning the match."
The Belarusian now faces her toughest opponent yet and that too on her least favorite surface, which she acknowledges she is slowly but surely starting to love.
"I still don't have any ring on my finger," Azarenka said of her relationship with the clay courts.
"But I feel like we made a step forward. We are moving in together. Kind of that type of a relationship is moving forward and see what happens after.
"You have to keep loving each other. That's the most important, love all around," she added with a smile.
"Making it work every day. Really committing every time. But love is the first and most successful tool."
To watch French Open Azarenka vs Sharapova Live Stream for viewers in the U.S., click here.
