Petkovic smashes Errani to reach first ever semi

ByEurosport

Updated 04/06/2014 at 19:55 GMT

Germany's Andrea Petkovic bullied Sara Errani to race into her first career semi-final at the French Open.

Andrea Petkovic of Germany kisses her racket after winning her women's quarter-final match against Sara Errani of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 4, 2014. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler (FRANCE - Tags: SPORT

Image credit: Eurosport

Germany's Petkovic, the 28th seed, needed just over an hour to see off the Italian 10th seed 6-2 6-2. The match had been delayed for several hours due to rain in Paris.

The diminutive Errani is a clay-court specialist, making Petkovic's win all the more remarkable.

Petkovic, 26, was quicker to hit her stride in chilly, gusty conditions in Paris and despite losing her first service game she was the more aggressive player throughout.

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"I never kissed my racket before in my life," Petkovic said afterwards. "I don't know what happened to me. I was just overwhelmed by emotion.

"I had no boy to kiss, so I kissed my racket."

Petkovic is appearing at the French Open for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2011.

She had reached a career-high of world number nine after that, but a succession of serious back and knee injuries saw her drop out of the top 100, leading her to consider retirement.

"I would like to call Freud and ask him what he thinks about... my twisted soul," Petkovic - renowned for her quirky sense of humour - joked.

Petkovic battled back from the brink and found her stride in the second half of last season, winning her first tour event in three years at the WTA Charleston Family Circle Cup in April.

Next up for Petkovic is fourth seed Simona Halep, who also beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 6-2.

The first semi pits Maria Sharapova against Eugenie Bouchard.

Petkovic makes history with win

Results on Wednesday (quarter-finals):

4-Simona Halep (Romania) beat 27-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 6-2 6-2

28-Andrea Petkovic (Germany) beat 10-Sara Errani (Italy) 6-2 6-2

Roland-Garros