Live Commentary: French Open - Day 12 as it happened

Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of day 12 of the French Open at Roland Garros.

It is reaching crunch time in Paris, where the men's semi-final draw was finalised yesterday.

Spanish duo Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer booked their place in the last four but Britain's hopes of a Grand Slam title were ended with Andy Murray's elimination.

Today the women's semi-finals take place on Court Philippe Chatrier, with three former Grand Slam champions all in action.

First off, US Open winner Samantha Stosur faces Serena Williams's conqueror Sara Errani, before Maria Sharapova battles Petra Kvitova in a rematch of last year's Wimbledon final.

18.22Right, that's it from Sports Mole for today. After that lengthy rain delay at the start of the day, we were soon treated to some oustanding tennis at Roland Garros. Tomorrow's men's semi-final day starts with Rafael Nadal vs. David Ferrer at 12pm. That match will then be followed with Novak Djokovic's tie with Roger Federer. We hope you will be able to join us again for what promises to be another cracking day of tennis. Thanks again for joining us and enjoy your evening. Au revoir!

18.14"What an amazing feeling," she tells the crowd. "I've always dreamed of being in the final stage here and now I have that opportunity."

18.12There it is! Sharapova clinches her place in the final with a stinging ace down the line. The victory also sees her return to the top of the world rankings. Kvitova wasn't quite at the races today, but Sharapova displayed some stunning shots to seal the win.

18.11RESULT: Sharapova 6-3 6-3 Kvitova

18.10She now has two match points following Kvitova's wayward forehand...

18.08And she gets it! Sharapova will now serve for a place in the French Open final. Remember, she's never gone that far in this tournament previously.

18.07Break point for Sharapova. She's turned this around...

18.06The umpire is back on court again to award Kvitova a point following Sharapova's long forehand. 30-0.

18.04That said, the Russian holds serve after the line judge rules that Kvitova's shot was out. A very debatable call there, I must say.

18.02Right, this is looking to be a decisive game in this match. Sharapova finds the net and we're at deuce.

17.59That's enough from me for today. Stay with us though as my colleague Jack Prescott will guide you through the remainder of this women's semi-final. Over to you Jack!

17.57Mistakes creeping into Sharapova's game here as Kvitova claims an easy hold to level at three games apiece in the second.

17.53Break! Kvitova shows that she is still in this one by breaking back immediately. Some lovely stroke play set up the opportunity, which was then presented to her when Sharapova wastefully hit long.

17.51Kvitova shows some fight to survive the first two break points but all her good work as wasted as she double faults to hand Sharapova a 3-1 lead in the second.

17.48Here is a real opportunity for Sharapova to gain complete control of this match. She is 40-love ahead on the Kvitova serve and now has three chances to move a set and a break up.

17.45This time it is Sharapova who is pushed all the way by Kvitova, but the Russian, who is yet to surrender her serve in this match, stays strong to hold.

17.40Kvitova resists a Sharapova fightback from 40-love to 30-40 to level at 1-1 in the second.

17.37Superb start to the second set as well from the Sharapova. A couple of powerful forehand winners and an ace help her move a set and a game up on the woman who beat her in the SW19 final last year.

17.33SET! Sharapova takes less than 40 minutes to claim the first set in impressive fashion. Remember, the Russian is looking to complete her Grand Slam trophy collection with the Roland Garros crown. She's moved a step closer with that opening set win.

17.31A double fault followed by a poor shot at the net from the Wimbledon champion gifts Sharapova three set points on Court Phillipe Chatrier.

17.29A superb lob helps the world number two hold comfortably as Kvitova is now forced to serve to stay in the opening set.

17.25Kvitova is forced to work hard for a narrow hold. She remains in touch but her second seed opponent is threatening a further break in almost all of the Czech's service games.

17.21A very unfortunate bounce off the net prevents Sharapova holding to love but she surrenders just one point on her way to making it 4-2.

17.18Break! First blood to the world number two as she takes the first of three break points to gain the impetus in this opening set. A really wild service game from Kvitova and Sharapova takes full advantage.

17.17Excellent break opportunity for Sharapova here as she leads 40-love on Kvitova's serve.

17.15This time it is fourth-seed Kvitova who makes several errors as Sharapova keeps the set on serve.

17.13However, as she often does, Sharapova produces a big serve when required and converts an easy winner down the line to stay in the game.

17.11A succession of sloppy mistakes from Sharapova gives Kvitova an early break chance in this opening set.

17.06Two-one to Kvitova as Sharapova hits a pair of unforced errors. We are only three games in and the groan is already irritating me slightly.

17.03We have another deuce here as the two big hitters match each other shot for shot from the baseline. One topspin forehand from Kvitova the pick of the strokes thus far.

16.59Kvitova forces Sharapova to deuce but the Russian survives the scare to level at a game apiece in the early stages.

16.56Thanks Danielle! Kvitova holds in the opening game with Sharapova starting slowly.

16.50Right, that's my brief stint done! I'll pass you back over to Joe Fish, who will take you through the second semi-final of the day.

16.47Just a reminder that Novak Djokovic will take on Roger Federer in the semi-final tomorrow while an all-Spanish clash awaits Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer.

16.46There's a slight wind in the air though, which could prove to be a disadvantage to Kvitova's game.

16.44Both players have arrived on the clay court with blue skies above. Let's hope it stays that way!

16.42The Russian pro just edges her opponent 3-2 in previous meetings.

16.40Sharapova can retain her world number one status if she progresses into the final today.

16.39Hurrah! The rain shower has passed and the officials are beginning to set up on the main court ready for the second clash.

16.37The second semi-final is a difficult one to call. Sharapova's powerful serve is a big advantage to the Russian while Kvitova will be hoping to improve her movement in the rallies in order to damage her opponent.

16.34Sharapova and Kvitova are due to take to the Philippe Chatrier court in due course but a rain shower has hit Paris so play could be delayed!

16.33Apologies for the technical fault earlier! We seem to be back on track now.

16.33Well, I suspect not many people expected to find Errani in the final! The 25-year-old will have to beat either Maria Sharapova or Petra Kvitova to clinch the title

16.27Errani: "I have no words. It's an amazing feeling! I want to thank everybody."

16.25Result: Errani 7-5 1-6 6-3 Stosur

16.24And she's done it! Sara Errani will compete in the final for the french Open title after a fierce battle with Samantha Stosur.

16.24Errani is on three match points and close to knocking Stosur out of the competition.

16.16With this match coming to a conclusion I have to leave you now for half-an-hour. It may be bad timing, but fear not, all is in hand as I temporarily hand you over to my fantastic colleague Danielle Joynson. Enjoy!

16.14Plenty of unforced errors from Stosur in this third set. Two more in this game gifts Errani a hold to love.

16.11Another baseline winner from Stosur levels at three games apiece in this deciding set. That was an important hold for the sixth seed.

16.09A brilliant drop shot by Errani sets up break point but Stosur replies to force deuce.

16.05Break! We are back on serve in the decider here as Stosur strikes another clean winner to move back to 2-3.

16.03Frustration for Stosur as she slices a backhand into the top of the net, but she soon sets up a second break chance with another forehand winner.

16.02Big cross-court forehand from Stosur to earn a break point.

16.00Stosur shows some character by coming from 30-love down to hold and reduce the deficit to 3-1.

15.54A real surprise on the cards here as Errani takes control of the final set by earning a valuable hold to move 3-0 ahead.

15.51In-fact, the Italian has quashed the momentum Stosur had built up with that convincing second-set win by breaking early in the third.

15.48Errani shows she won't roll over in this third set by comfortably holding in the opening game.

15.44SET! Stosur levels the match at a set apiece by taking the second 6-1. The Australian will be looking to capitalize on this momentum by winning the deciding set and booking her place in Saturday's final.

15.40She won't wrap up the set on this occasion as Errani survives two break points and eventually snatches the game when Stosur under-hits her drop shot into the net.

15.35Stosur has the chance to win this set to love here as she has Errani reeling at deuce.

15.31The US Open champion moves to within one game of levelling the match with a comfortable hold.

15.28Break! Stosur is now completely in control of this second set after recording consecutive breaks. She has won all three break points on offer so far this afternoon.

15.24A big serve at a big time for Stosur as she serves an ace to increase her lead to three games.

15.19Break! To the annoyance of Errani, Stosur gets the benefit of a debatable line call to set up break point. She takes it to move 2-0 ahead in the second.

15.15More gutsy defence from Errani, but she can't withstand Stosur on this occasion as the Australian takes the opening game of the second set.

15.14First break opportunity wasted by Errani but she saves a game point to level again at deuce.

15.11More great play from Errani as she produces some great defence and battles her way to 30-40 on the Stosur serve.

15.05SET! Errani sends Stosur out wide with a topspin serve before converting the return down the line to claim the opening set 7-5. This is the first time the Italian has won the first set in six meetings against Stosur.

15.02Break! This one is going slightly against the script. It was supposed to be Errani who would struggle to hold serve but she's broken Stosur for a second time to move 6-5 ahead. The 21st seed is about to serve for the opening set...

15.00Stosur produces a couple of big serves to pull things back to deuce after Errani had two break point. She has another here as Stosur hits long...

14.57Excellent hold from Errani as she shows her experience on clay by moving Stosur around the court well. The Italian has already won three clay-court tournaments this year.

14.53Stosur moves 5-4 ahead and is one game away from claiming the first set. Now would be a great time to convert one of these half chances at a break.

14.50Not this time for the Australian as she lets Errani off the hook with two unforced errors.

14.49Another half chance for a Stosur break with the score at 30-30.

14.47Great composure by Errani as she strokes a smart passing shot after Stosur had got a fortunate bounce of the net.

14.45Sixth seed Stosur wastes little time in moving in-front again. She is trying too shorten the rallies with powerful baseline hitting as Errani was beginning to edge the longer exchanges.

14.42All credit to the Italian as she wins four consecutive points to fights back to deuce and then secure an important hold.

14.39A fine forehand return down the line puts Stosur 30-15 up on the Errani serve. A possible break opportunity for the Australian here...

14.37Stosur clocks a 170mph serve on her way to holding to fifteen.

14.35Errani holds to love to even the contest up at 2 games apiece.

14.33On a side note, the weather is unrecognisable from half-an-hour ago. The sun is basking in a clear blue sky, which hopefully means play won't be interrupted again this afternoon.

14.31The Italian only needs one of them as she gets this opening set back on serve instantly. Whether she can defend her own service games and keep it that way is very questionable.

14.29Errani had an immediate chance to reply as some clever and patient tennis earns her three break points.

14.27Another powerful return winner from Stosur secures her a break of serve at the first opportunity.

14.25The difference in serves is very evident. Stosur really attacks the feeble Errani second serve with a superb forehand return winner which takes it to deuce.

14.21Stosur holds to thirty in the opening game with two aces. You can already see the potency of Stosur's serve and how big a part it will play in this contest.

14.16What a quick turnaround. After hours of rain, the sun is out and and we have begun with Stosur on serve...

14.11..Remarkably, that is very close to happening. The rain has stopped and the players are out on Court Phillipe Chatrier. Stosur versus Errani to begin shortly...

14.09While I'm opting for a Nadal versus Djokovic final in the men's singles, I'm predicting a Stosur versus Kvitova clash on the women's side. We need to get the semi-finals underway first though!

14.06Ferrer is certainly a very capable performer on all surfaces, but he is up against the greatest clay-court player of all time. I don't give him much chance.

14.03Nadal will have to overcome David Ferrer in the last four. He beat another Spanish compatriot, Almagro, in the last round while Ferrer ended Andy Murray's Grand Slam dreams for another tournament.

14.01The sixteen-time major winner also beat Djokovic at the same stage last year.

13.59The world number one will become the first man in 43 years to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time if he is victorious in Paris. He has to negotiate the challenge of Roger Federer first, who, of course, has his own Grand Slam winning pedigree.

13.56Djokovic on the other hand hasn't been quite as dominating. The Serbian was pushed to five sets by both Andreas Seppi and Jo Wilfried Tsonga, but his determination and reluctance to get beat have been almost as impressive as Nadal's superb strokeplay. He is the proof that winning is a habit.

13.54It would surprise me greatly if we don't see a Nadal versus Djokovic final. Rafa has been near unstoppable on his passage into the last four.

13.52Nadal versus Almagro highlights are being shown on ITV4. I suppose this is as good a time as any to discuss the men's side of the draw.

13.47Just to correct a statement in my intro. It wasn't Sara Errani that 'conquered' Serena Williams. I got Errani confused with French star Virginie Razzano.

13.41There is a glimpse of sunshine in the Paris sky, but the rain continues to pour also. John Inverdale is marveling at the sight of a rainbow visible from his ITV4 studio window.

13.36If any of the semi-finalists have gone under the radar on their way to this stage, it is Kvitova. The Wimbledon champion has been handed a kind draw and comfortably advanced with straight-set victories in rounds one and two. A 3-6 6-2 6-4 win over qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova secured her place in the last four, but her title credentials haven't really been tested thus far. Sharapova will certainly present that test as the Russian goes looking for revenge for her defeat at SW19 last year.

13.30Sharapova, who is looking to complete her Grand Slam collection with the Roland Garros title, has stormed into the last four. She dropped just five games in her opening three rounds before she was pushed to three sets by Czech Klara Zakopalova. She was back to her best in the last eight where she beat Kara Kanepi 6-3 6-2 to set up her clash with Kvitova.

13.28Still raining heavily in Paris. The forecast is showers throughout the afternoon but the general feeling is that we will get some play today. How much though is another question.

13.24Errani has been somewhat of a surprise package. Despite her clay-court pedigree, she was an underdog in her victories over Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova in rounds three and four. She also knocked out 10th seed Angelique Kerber in straight sets to reach the semi-finals.

13.18Britain's Elena Baltacha and 15th seed Dominika Cibulkova, who knocked out world number one Victoria Azarenka, are among the women to have been eliminated by Stosur on the Australian's passage to the final four.

13.12Maybe I spoke too soon. The clouds have reopened in Paris and the rain is again soaking the Roland Garros courts. That 13.45 start time will be re-evaluated I'm sure. I'll keep you updated with the prospect of play.

13.10In the meantime, I'll take a page out of ITV4's book and remind you all just how the final four reached this stage.

13.06Ah! My positiveness may have paid dividends. I'm hearing that the rain has stopped and the officials are hoping to start play at around 13.45 GMT.

13.03The good news is that the clay surface means there shouldn't be a problem in getting the women on court when (not if, I'm being positive) the rain stops.

12.59ITV4 Are showing a video montage of the players' passage to the final four. I have no such luxury, but I will try to keep you entertained nonetheless.

12.56There is no sign of the rain stopping at the moment and we are forecast bleak conditions for much of the afternoon. The optimist in me is hoping we can get some play in however.

12.53So the tennis as well as the cricket is being delayed by rain. Paris is showing that it isn't just the English weather that is unreliable.

12.50Stosur versus Errani was scheduled to start at 13.00 GMT, but the covers are on Court Phillipe Chatrier with the rain pouring down.

12.50It isn't just the cricket being delayed by rain today. It is chucking it down in Paris as well as at Edgbaston.

12.45Stosur versus Errani was scheduled to start at 13.00pm GMT, but the covers are on Court Phillipe Chatrier.