Petra Kvitova: Maria Sharapova deserved to win

Petra Kvitova has admitted that Maria Sharapova deserved to win their French Open semi-final on Thursday.

The Russian claimed a straight-sets victory over the Wimbledon champion at Roland Garros to move to the top of the world rankings for the first time since 2008.

"She played very well," Kvitova told reporters. "She's improved a lot, not only on the clay. I mean, I wasn't playing bad, but she was better on the court. She deserves it, and she's number one now."

Sharapova will take on fellow French Open final debutante Sara Errani on Sunday.