World number one Amelie Mauresmo battled her way to the Wimbledon final for the first time, where she will meet Justin Henin-Hardenne on Saturday.
The Australian Open champion - who had reached the semi-final on each of her last three visits to the All England Club - overcame former champion Maria Sharapova in an enthralling contest on Centre Court 6-3 3-6 6-2 in a match which lasted almost two and a quarter hours.
Henin-Hardenne, meanwhile, triumphed in two tough sets, 6-4 7-6 (7-4), over Belgian compatriot Kim Clijsters, the number two seed.
It was Mauresmo's performance, though, which captured the imagination this afternoon, as the 27-year-old produced a gutsy display to wrestle back the match after Sharapova, winner here in 2004, had forced a decider.
Mauresmo, the French number one seed, had looked to be cruising early in the second set at 3-1 and 40-love up.
But ice-cool Russian Sharapova, 19, hit back to turn the match in her favour with a fine array of shots from the baseline.
Mauresmo regained her composure in the tense finale, which she controlled to take the sting out of the fourth seed's power game.
The Wimbledon top seed now hopes to make it a memorable double for France this weekend, as Les Bleus take on Italy the World Cup final on Sunday.
'I was relieved at the end because I had to come back strong, and am very happy,' said Mauresmo. She added: 'Now I finally get to play for the trophy.I am expecting a tough one against Justine because she is playing great tennis and is aggressive.'
The top seed added: 'I hope it is a big weekend for France.'
