Photos: French Open semifinals

PARIS -- After upsets decimated both the men's and women's draws the first week, we're left with two unsurprising matchups in the finals. Maria Sharapova, named

Courtney Nguyen | Jun 7, 2014

Photos: French Open semifinals /

PARIS -- After upsets decimated both the men's and women's draws the first week, we're left with two unsurprising matchups in the finals. Maria Sharapova, named the heavy favorite after Serena Williams' exit, held off a charge from Eugenie Bouchard; Simona Halep dropped Andrea Petkovic in straight sets and enters her first Grand Slam final without losing a set.

On the men's side, Rafael Nadal steamrolled Andy Murray to reach his ninth French Open final, while Novak Djokovic struggled a bit before knocking out Ernests Gulbis.

Here are some of our favorite shots from the semifinals on Thursday and Friday.

Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard: Not quite yet, kid. (Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal: The King of Clay is looking as regal as ever after losing just six games to Andy Murray. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic: Is this the year he'll complete the career Grand Slam? (Michel Spingler?AP)

Andrea Petkovic: The sun finally made appearance on Thursday and the red clay soaked it in. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Bouchard: The 20-year-old is the only woman to make two Slam semifinals so far this season. (David Vincent/AP)

Murray: Nadal came into the match having won 44 titles on clay. Murray has won none. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Simona Halep: Focused. (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

Halep: Another photo to add to my collection. (David Vincent/AP)

Petkovic: Sun's out, guns out. (David Vincent/AP)

Bouchard: Whatever it takes. (David Vincent/AP)

Murray: The hot conditions had Nadal's heavy topspin flying off the court and Murray was stuck hitting above his shoulder for much of the match. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Nadal: In no one's shadow. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Bouchard: The good news for Bouchard: Clay is her worst surface. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova: Through six matches she's spent 10 hours on court. (Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images)

Sharapova: The famous fist pump. (Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images)

Sharapova: Willing herself to the win. (Kenzo Triboillard/AFP/Getty Images)

Published Jun 7, 2014

COURTNEY NGUYEN

Contributor, SI.com Nguyen is a freelance writer for SI.com, providing full coverage of professional tennis both on and off the court. Her content has become a must-read for fans and insiders to stay up-to-date with a sport that rarely rests. She has appeared on radio and TV talk shows all over the world and is one of the co-hosts of No Challenges Remaining, a weekly podcast available on iTunes. Nguyen graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 1999 and received a law degree from the University of California, Davis in 2002. She lives in the Bay Area.